Tag Archives: conductive hearing loss

Stronger Hearing Backed by Science

Sentio Study Results Published

A newly published clinical study in Otology & Neurotology confirms what many Sentio™ users already know: our newest bone conduction hearing system helps people hear more clearly and more comfortably than ever before. Conducted across six major European hospitals, the research highlights the meaningful impact of the Sentio System over the first six months after implantation. ¹

Key Takeaways

  • The Sentio System can help those with conductive hearing loss (CHL), mixed hearing loss (MHL), and single-sided deafness (SSD) hear more clearly by sending sound vibrations through bone instead of the ear canal.
  • Participants in the study showed major improvements in hearing ability and speech understanding, including in noisy listening conditions.
  • Surgery is fairly quick, with a fast recovery, and most participants reported little to no discomfort.
  • Over 90% of participants were highly satisfied with the Sentio System and most participants reportedly used their processor for the majority of their day on a regular basis.
  • Excellent safety outcomes with no serious device-related complications occurring.

If you’re living with conductive hearing loss (CHL), mixed hearing loss (MHL), or single-sided deafness (SSD), you know how challenging everyday listening can be. Traditional hearing aids aren’t always the best solution, especially when the middle ear isn’t functioning properly. That’s where bone conduction devices (BCDs) come in.

What Are Bone Conduction Devices?

BCDs work differently from traditional hearing aids. Instead of sound passing through the ear canal and middle ear, and then to the cochlea in the inner ear, BCDs capture the sound in the environment,  amplify it, and turn it into vibrations that travel through the bones of the skull directly to the cochlea in the inner ear. This makes BCDs an excellent option for people who don’t benefit from traditional hearing aids.

BCDs come in two primary types: skin-drive systems, where vibrations pass through the skin, and direct-drive systems, where vibrations are delivered directly to the bone, without having to pass through the skin, enabling louder sound. The Sentio System uses an active transcutaneous direct-drive approach, combining the efficient sound transmission of a direct drive system with a discreet, under the skin implant. A small external sound processor attaches magnetically to the internal component, with the sound processor picking up sound and sending it to the implant. The sound processor and implant are the smallest available today.2

Initial Findings from the Sentio Study

In this study, researchers from multiple European hospitals followed 51 adults who received the implant and measured their hearing outcomes over the first six months. These participants will continue to be followed for up to 24 months, and these longer-term findings will also be published.

The results were overwhelmingly positive. The researchers found that the Sentio System provides powerful improvements in hearing ability, with participants experiencing an average of 32.8 dB improvement in hearing, which is a difference that has real-life impacts. The ability to understand speech also improved with the Sentio System. Excitingly, participants scored an average of 98% correct on speech-understanding tests in quiet. Even in the most noisy and challenging environments, the Sentio System was able to help participants understand speech better.

The Sentio System was also reported by participants to be comfortable and easy to use. Most participants wore their device for eight hours or more each day, and many participants reported a natural listening experience in their daily lives.  The recovery after the short surgery was straightforward as well. Incisions healed quickly, discomfort was minimal, and participants were able to begin using their new hearing system shortly after.

In the six months following the surgery, there were no serious device-related complications, and while some minor issues, such as inflammation, occurred after the surgery, most of these occurrences were mild to moderate and most resolved quickly.

Summary

Big improvements in hearing

  • Participants had an average hearing improvement of 32.8 dB, a significant improvement that can have impactful real-life benefits.
  • Speech understanding in quiet listening conditions improved by an average of 52% with participants scoring an average of 98% accuracy on speech understanding when using their Sentio System.
  • When tested with background noise, speech understanding also improved with the Sentio System. On average, the Sentio System enabled participants to understand speech better when there was even more noise in the background (3 dB more noise in fact).

A simple and smooth surgery

  • On average, the surgical procedure took less than one hour.
  • By two weeks, the implant site was completely healed for all participants.
  • Most participants reported little or no pain following the placement of the Sentio implant.
  • There were no serious device-related complications, and adverse events were minor (e.g., temporary skin irritation or mild headaches) and improved over time.

High satisfaction and quality of life improvements

  • 96% of participants reported improvements in their overall quality of life after receiving their Sentio System.
  • The majority of participants reported that the sound quality was natural-sounding.
  • The majority of participants used their sound processor for at least eight hours a day.
  • 92% of participants reported being overall satisfied with their experience with the Sentio System.

The Sentio System: A Powerful Alternative

If traditional hearing aids haven’t worked, or you’ve been told they’re not an option, the Sentio System may offer a powerful alternative.

The results of this study align with what our mission has always been: to give people a clearer, more confident connection to the world around them all with freedom of choice. Backed by peer-reviewed clinical evidence, Sentio combines advanced hearing performance, comfort, and reliability, making it a strong choice for anyone seeking a modern, effective hearing solution.  Now is the perfect time to speak with your audiologist or hearing care provider to see if the Sentio System is right for you.

References

  1. Hol, Myrthe Karianne Sophie,; Aukema, Tjerk Winusa; Ubbink, Sander Wilhelmus Johannesa; Lindholm, Dennis; Holmberg, Marcus; Arndt, Susan; Wolf, Stefanie; Monksfield, Peter; Marwa, Mihalache; Lenarz, Thomase; Busch, Susane; Tysome, James; Asher, Abif; Kok, Hermang; Mylanus Emmanuel Antonius, Maria. A Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Investigation on the Safety and Performance of a New Active Transcutaneous Bone-Anchored Implant System. Otology & Neurotology ():10.1097/MAO.0000000000004706, November 17, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004706
  2. Sentio implant and sound processor physical features and comparison to other devices (Doc-00123204)

Stephanie Enjoys Hearing Again With Her New Ponto System

Dr. Stephanie Galarneault lost her hearing due to a rare tumor. After struggling with traditional hearing aids, her ENT told her about Oticon Medical’s Ponto™ System. In this post, she describes her experiences so far, which we appreciate her allowing us to share.

The Impact of an Unexplained Hearing Loss

Originally, I thought my poor hearing was the result of a disastrous (and yet very fun) water tubing accident with my sons! Of course, hearing is always important.  That said, I am at a stage in life where I communicate constantly. I listen to students in college classrooms. I listen while enjoying a Happy Hour with colleagues and friends.

Group of women smiling

I listen at parent meetings for my kid’s school. Most importantly, I listen to my children and husband as we navigate our busy family life in a giant old Victorian house.

The Search for Effective Hearing Aids

Eventually, an MRI revealed a vestibular schwannoma—a slow-growing tumor that is crushing my hearing nerve. I tried regular hearing aids for well over a year but could never get comfortable. I tried everything to make the hearing aids work—heat, cold, massaging muscles, physical therapy. No matter what I tried, I always ended up with extreme fatigue and discomfort after wearing them.

Audiologists kept encouraging me to keep trying. Eventually, my ENT neurosurgeon mused out loud, “Hearing aids should really not cause discomfort—unless you have (temporomandibular joint disorder) TMJ.” Bingo! Mystery solved. I do, in fact, have TMJ and wearing traditional hearing aids was always going to be uncomfortable.

Life After Getting a Ponto

The biggest benefits for me are that I can wear my Ponto device all day, every day, and there is no significant discomfort.

I was excited before my surgery—hopeful that the new approach might help with hearing. It is terrible to miss out on communication, especially as a Communications professor! It is also exhausting for our brain, constantly trying to figure out meaning when it is only pulling in a limited amount of data. I get really tired by the end of each day. Ponto helps with that.

woman smiling at camera

The surgery went well. It was quick and easy. Healing and upkeep were fairly easy processes.

Anyone who has significant hearing issues knows the feeling when the switch is flipped and suddenly, we can hear. That moment is incredible, awe-inspiring and emotional. My son videotaped me hearing well for the first time in a very long time. The video does not disappoint (watch at end of post).

I remember that, for me, one of my primary feelings was relief that I did not have to work so hard to understand everything. It was as if a great task that my brain was managing was suddenly gone. It freed up so much more energy for regular life!

Inside the college classroom, it is helpful to swing between listening to a single speaker, to speakers while groups are working/talking, and to several speakers at the same time. The Bluetooth®-enabled wireless streaming might be my favorite part of this new device. I listen to audio news stories and audio books through the Ponto almost every day.

I find the size to be comfortable. Once every few weeks, the spot around my abutment feels tender and sore. A dermatologist prescribed Fluocinonide (.05% solution). It works amazingly well. Within an hour I can no longer feel irritation. It may not occur with everyone, but it certainly did with me. I would also love to highlight how simple topical treatments can bring almost total relief.

I love being able to listen to an audio book while I walk. I also enjoy being able to hear the yoga instructor when I take classes! Traveling with Ponto is also extremely easy. At the airport, I warn TSA agents but have only been flagged for the metal abutment once. That just resulted in a quick swipe with the metal detector bar. I feel so much safer traveling all around the world knowing that I can be more present and aware in my surroundings.

Woman and man smiling

While my hearing is still not perfect, I have found that if I pay attention to where I sit, I can now manage situations better than before.

I think many/most people do not notice my Ponto System. I do talk about my hearing loss in college classrooms, largely because I want to normalize (and personalize) hearing loss and the benefits of using accommodations to be able to actively participate.

Dr. Stephanie Galarneault has a Ph.D in Organizational Communication from Purdue University and is a Lecturer in Communication Studies in the College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

To learn more about Oticon Medical’s Ponto bone anchored hearing system, please visit our website: https://www.oticonmedical.com/us/ 

Ideas Worth Spreading: Best TED Talks on Sound

As you may have heard, “sound matters” is what we believe most.  It’s great to hear so many people feel the same. Today, we wanted to share some of the best  TED talks that focus on—you guessed it—sound.

TEDBelow you’ll see inspiring talks from three amazing individuals. Bernie Krause devoted almost a lifetime to recording sounds in the wild. He feels that the sounds around us can provide evidence of the health of the land and its habitat. Daniel Kish takes advantage of sound to see and is training others to do the same. And Meklit Hadero lets ordinary everyday sounds inspire her to create beautiful music.

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Companies that Consider Hearing in their Customer Experience

Today, we’d like to put a spotlight on a few companies that put an emphasis on improving experiences for their hearing impaired customers and employees. While we believe this should be the norm, these businesses offering technology and take into account considerations that many others are not.

Uber Offers Equality in Work Opportunities

uber-icon_0The first such company is Uber, the technology startup that has disrupted the taxi industry. Uber offers customers a Smartphone App to call for car rides. At the same time, it offers work opportunities for many who otherwise may never be able to work as a cab driver. With their App, a hearing impaired driver has  the  chance to choose the communication method they’d prefer which will keep them from missing the work that Uber brings. Steve Claridge, who’s hearing impaired himself, praised Uber’s efforts in a recent post here.

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Adam Shares His Journey with Hearing Loss and the Ponto Bone Anchored Hearing System (BAHS)

We are so lucky to be able to share Erin Wiggle’s heartfelt story about her husband, Adam. Adam serves in the Navy and has an Oticon Medical Bone Anchored Hearing System (BAHS), the Ponto.

Erin shares  Adam’s account of his ordeal of chronic ear infections and multiple surgeries throughout the years that finally led to permanent hearing loss of his right ear. In her post, she leads us through Adam’s journey to getting his Ponto. Adam adjusts his life well with his Ponto. However, he reveals that one of his adjustments is dealing with the insensitivity of strangers. Adam said, “The constant questioning from strangers has left me a little bitter.”

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From the Field: How Active Ponto Users Play with Their Pontos in Place

What does your day-to-day look like? It probably involves waking up, getting ready and going to work or school. In just the first couple hours of the day, there are the sounds of the alarm clock going off, the shower turning on, the coffee machine percolating, the car turning on or the bus pulling up and the hum of traffic.

If you’re like many people, your day also includes some type of activity. Running, riding a bike, and playing sports—all activities in which sound continues to play a crucial role.

Here’s how two of our community members play best with their Pontos.

The Creative Karate Kid

Sonja Herne’s son Jack loves karate, and he wears bilateral Pontos on a softband. When he advanced to a red belt, requiring a helmet during activity, Sonja and Jack got creative. When Jack practices karate, they remove one of his Pontos and shift the other to the back-middle of his head. They found a gap in the back of the helmet, which allows the Ponto to sit unobstructed.

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The Most Important Questions to Ask When Considering a Bone Anchored Hearing System: Help Others Get BAHS Answers

A couple of months ago we held the first ever Oticon Medical Patient Advocacy Workshop. While events in the past have focused on gathering and getting to know each other, this event focused on bettering the experience for those who need or will need bone anchored hearing systems in the future.

Be the ChangeThe top concern included education for those who were experiencing the world of bone anchored hearing for the fist time. Ponto wearers and families shared that they felt frustrated at the beginning of their journey, because they didn’t get all of the information they needed outright— it took research, time and, in many cases, probing to get answers from professionals. The statement “I wish I would have known what questions to ask” is something that we heard from the group more than once. Kelley Dwyer, an Audiologist who joined our group along with her brother Derek, who got his Ponto Plus and the Ponto Streamer earlier this year, also mentioned that it’d be helpful for Audiologists if patients had more access to information and a set of questions too.

Many people in the group mentioned that they didn’t know that there were options when it came to choosing a bone anchored hearing device. For some, it took years to make the realization and in some cases, it lead to surgery for a new abutment to make a switch.

We’re working to fulfill the needs we uncovered and develop the ideas the group had from the workshop. Today, we’re asking for your help to bring one of those ideas to life.

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You Asked; We Answer: What’s the difference between a Cochlear Implant and a Bone Anchored Hearing System?

We commonly get questions about the differences in various hearing solutions. It’s important to note that there are different options based on individual conditions and needs. The same solution isn’t right for everyone. While Oticon Medical currently specializes in bone anchored hearing systems, we’re here to help you navigate your options.

Today, we’re going to look at the differences between Cochlear Implants and Bone Anchored Hearing Systems. To do so, we brought in Oticon Medical’s Clinical Regional Manager and one of our top Audiologists, Alison Sabbar.

Here’s Alison:

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When Pretending to Hear Is No Longer Acceptable

Robb Boss believed he was doing “just fine” coping with his conductive hearing loss. A successful oncology sales representative with a leading pharmaceutical company, Robb’s personable and intelligent communication with colleagues and clients has led to much success and satisfaction for the 41-year-old. But, a brief conversation with a co-worker helped Robb see the downside of his untreated unilateral conductive hearing loss and take action.

After “pretending” to hear nearly his whole life, Robb decided that improving his hearing would improve relationships at work and with the people who matter the most– his family. “I was living my life pretending I could hear, Robb says. “It started hindering communication within the family and professionally. We have five girls and they all have tones of voices that I just couldn’t hear at all.”

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Alison Sabbar Shares How the Ponto Streamer Offers a New World of Wireless Connectivity

Alison Sabbar discusses the wireless technology capabilities of the Ponto Plus, including the Ponto Streamer, the device that makes all of this connectivity possible. Now, individuals with single-sided deafness and conductive hearing loss can get the wireless capabilities that they want and need.

The Ponto Streamer has a wireless coil that picks up audio signals and transmits them directly to the Ponto Plus, turning the Ponto Plus into a wireless headset. The Ponto Streamer connects to audio devices such as cellphones, TVs, MP3 players, landline phones and more.

Another accessory, the ConnectLine microphone, clips onto a speaker, so the speaker’s voice can be transmitted directly to the Ponto Plus processor. It’s ideal for school and work settings.

Here’s Alison to describe more about the Ponto Plus, Ponto Streamer and wireless capabilities.

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