We would like to thank Casey J., Danica’s mother, for giving us permission to share Danica’s experience with her new Sentio™ System.
Our beautiful, funny, brave, smart as a whip, spunky, and sassy Danica was born with microtia and aural atresia. We later learned her microtia and atresia were part of a craniofacial condition called Hemifacial Microsomia, which for Danica, also affects her skull, right eye, soft palate, jaw, mouth and facial nerves. Due to these conditions, Danica has severe conductive hearing loss in her right ear. She also has mild-moderate loss in her left due to a history of ear infections and a perforated eardrum that never healed.
Danica has worn a bone achored hearing system (BAHS) since she was seven-months-old. First on a soft headband, and then she had surgery at six-years-old so she could wear it on an abutment. Just recently, she made the decision to be implanted with the new Oticon Medical Sentio System, which allows her to wear her bone conduction device on a magnet.
Danica loves how much lighter the processor is, how there’s little to no feedback at all…especially when her thick hair rubs against it. She loves how she can wear it under her hair and no one knows it’s there. She loves how she can wear her bulky headphones with the device and it doesn’t touch them (all the cool kids are wearing the bulky headphones apparently, LOL) and she loves how clear everything sounds!
Danica recently had an audiology follow-up to assess how well her Sentio is helping her and to make any adjustments. She’s so resilient, I often forget how hard of hearing she really is. Her Sentio is bringing her hearing loss up to a slight-mild loss, which is amazing considering her loss is so severe. The audiologist made a few adjustments, and we were on our way.
She is so happy with her decision to get the Sentio magnet implanted, and it makes my mama heart happy, too. Oh, and report cards came out today; she got five A’s and one B. She really has to work so hard. I told her she must be so proud of herself. We know we are.
Please join us in congratulating Danica on her new Sentio System! We also thank her and Casey for their ongoing support of the hard of hearing and microtia communities.
Arcella Latimore lost the hearing in her left ear due to a rare condition that affected her eardrum. After years of experiencing embarrassing misunderstandings and frustration with her traditional hearing aid, she learned about Oticon Medical’s new Sentio™ System and decided with her hearing care professional that it was the right solution for her. The following is her experience, and we thank her for allowing us to share it!
My hearing journey started with this annoying thumping in my left ear. The doctor diagnosed it as an eustachian tube disorder and told me there was nothing they could do to cure it; I could only manage the discomfort. Seven years later, I went to another doctor and told him that I didn’t want to sound crazy, but it felt like my eardrum was moving. He actually listened to me and began doing several tests. He verified that it really was moving, and believed it was Tensor Tympani Syndrome (TTS). Once confirmed, he told me my options, which were either do nothing or surgery. With surgery, I ran the risk of white noise developing as a side effect. I decided that would be better than the thumping. It did happen, and also the hearing in my left ear was affected. When I plug my right ear to hear with my left, people sound like Minnie Mouse talking underwater.
I was not ready to accept I was losing my hearing, especially being in my early forties. I was still young, dating and having a social life. Yet, all I did was isolate myself because I was embarrassed to go out and not really be able to hear people. When I forced myself to go with friends, I would laugh with the group while not really knowing what I was laughing at. I was constantly acting like I heard people, but it would be awkward if they asked me a question and instead of answering, I just laughed. They would stare at me wondering why I was laughing at a serious question.
I had to finally admit that I was experiencing hearing loss, but I didn’t want a hearing aid. I convinced myself that it wasn’t really that bad. But I was isolating again, and my friends noticed. I finally went back to the doctor to get a hearing test and found out I had a significant hearing loss— around 76 percent. I decided to get traditional hearing aids, but although I wore them for a few years, they only made my hearing loss manageable, not optimal. I realized I was mishearing words or combinations of words that sounded like something else.
Once again, I convinced myself that it wasn’t bad…until I was at work one day and the supervisor asked me something. I thought they said, “Do you want another assignment?” and I very confidently answered their question but quickly realized by their reaction that was not what they’d asked me. They repeated what they’d said, which was, “Do you want another sandwich?” I embarrassedly said, “No thank you,” and walked away thinking it was time to get another hearing aid.
I went to Kaiser to update my hearing test since my last one had been two or three years ago. I told the doctor how I was mishearing words on top of not hearing well overall. The test results showed that my word recognition had gone down to 96 percent. The audiologist suggested the Sentio™ System, which she believed would improve my word recognition and overall hearing. When she mentioned surgery, all I could think was that it would be a big investment in my hearing journey. Going into my skull and implanting a device that would subsequently allow another piece to be magnetically attached to my head…wow!
However, I immediately remembered the embarrassing moment at work and knew that I never wanted to go through that again. I was further convinced because my insurance considered it surgical, so I only had to pay a small amount out of pocket. For the cost of lunch at work, I would be able to make my life so much better and enjoy my friends and family again without any awkward moments that I had to apologize for profusely later.
The doctor came to visit me before my procedure and asked if I had any questions. I said, “No. Just do a good job.” The surgery went very smoothly, and I had a nurse hold my hand the entire time. I felt very comfortable from beginning to end. My recovery went very well. The aftercare instructions were easy to follow. The left side of my head was a little swollen, but that eventually went away. I was given good aftercare instructions.
I went to my scheduled follow-up appointment, and the doctor said I was healing well and quickly, to the point I was able to get my Sentio 1 Mini processor earlier than expected. I chose black to blend well with my natural hair color. Because of the color and size, people don’t even see or notice it.
I was planning to visit my family three weeks after the Sentio surgery but was concerned about flying so soon afterwards. I was told flying would not have an impact. The clinic even provided me with a card stating I had the Sentio implant in case I set off alarms at TSA screening points. I was able to go through the airport without incident and flew with zero discomfort in my left ear.
I really like being able to use my iPhone® for wireless streaming directly into my Sentio and making volume/voice adjustments. At work, I am able to hear better in meetings with the wireless streaming. I do not miss important information, such as action items for me or my staff. I can hear everything, even quiet conversations in other cubicles. It’s amazing because I was never able to hear like this with my old hearing aids.
Sentio has improved my social life because I am no longer isolating. When I laugh it is because I really hear a joke or conversation clearly. I’m not being embarrassed by mishearing words or needing to ask someone to repeat themselves. I enjoy my time with family and friends so much more than before.
Also, Sentio has allowed me to accept that I have a disability and recognize that I have to navigate the world differently than others. This does not make me less of a person; it helps me participate more in the world around me. I appreciate my life more than before because I am more active and engaged with the people I love, and I get to experience the fun of making new friends. No more isolation and retreating from the world. Life is good!
Each person’s reasons for deciding to get the Sentio System are sacred and personal. The decision can’t be taken lightly; you must measure the costs vs. benefits. What is your quality of life? Are you fully engaged in it? If the answer is no, then Sentio will help you participate in life again and you should seriously consider it. Even if you answer yes, Sentio can take your engagement in life to another level.
I’m sharing my Sentio journey in the hope of encouraging those who have experienced similar struggles and feelings. I am an example of what life can look like on the other side. I would tell anyone considering it that it is very much worth it in the end.
Wondering whether a bone anchored hearing system in general or the Sentio System specifically might be the right choice to treat your hearing loss? Use these helpful resources, provided courtesy of Oticon Medical:
Lee Rothman used to wear a regular hearing aid. However, after he lost most of his hearing in one ear due to Covid-19, it no longer did the job. After looking into alternatives, Lee discovered the new Sentio™ System and learned how this bone conduction treatment could improve his hearing. The following is his story and we thank him for allowing us to share it!
My hearing loss began with an episode that was diagnosed as Meniere’s Disease back in 2013. It caused a loss of the frequencies above 2000hz. Over a period of several years, I had an intermittent loss of my hearing in my right ear that would typically return to some degree (minus the higher frequencies) after less than a week. I lived with that loss until I retired and moved to Idaho.
I had a hearing exam there where they informed me a quality hearing aid could restore that loss of the higher frequencies I was missing. I was an audiophile for nearly 50 years and a musician since the age of 10 with perfect pitch. So, I was fitted with a hearing aid. I was astounded by the higher frequencies I was then able to hear again that I’d missed for so long.
In October of 2023 I had another episode of hearing loss, which was accompanied by severe vertigo that landed me in the hospital. I’d used some antibiotic ear drops that apparently triggered the vertigo. It passed quickly and two days later my hearing returned—of course minus the higher frequencies.
Fast-forward to April of 2024. I had Covid for the fourth time in four years and it was asymptomatic. But once again in June of 2024, I got it again, which was noted by two days of headaches. I then experienced nearly complete hearing loss.
I went to a specialist nearby and he put me on the usual steroid dosage recommended for such events. It did nothing and my hearing loss continued. It was terrible, as I couldn’t hear the TV or my wife well with just the one ear. Having just one operative ear, it became obvious the handicaps it brings. My guitar sounded weak. I could no longer listen to music in my recording studio with headphones or speakers and hear the right channel. I was devastated.
I was referred to Dr. Wilkinson, a specialist in this area of hearing loss. He began with some steroid injections. After the second dose, we felt it wasn’t going to work. He gave me some brochures he’d just received from Oticon Medical regarding a new, FDA-approved type of bone conduction implant that was the next-generation of Ponto™ technologies. I examined it and did a lot of online research into it.
My regular doctor, who I discussed this with as well, happened to own a recently purchased pair of bone conduction stereo headphones. He let me try them and I was shocked that I could hear music in my right ear again. So, my next appointment with Dr. Wilkinson, I said I’d like to move forward with the Sentio offering. He got me on a waiting list, as the nearby hospital was awaiting their approval for the procedure to be done there.
I previously used a traditional hearing aid, mostly to add the lost higher frequencies back into my right ear. The sensorineural hearing loss I had after a Covid attack took a lot more than just the higher frequencies from my hearing. It not only took down the level of what I could hear, but virtually everything above 800hz was gone altogether.
I had no real concerns about the surgery. I’d watched a sample surgery done on YouTube and it looked very simple and straightforward. It went as expected. Quick and painless. Recovery went exactly as stated—three weeks until the application of the external processer and adjustments were made.
I immediately noticed I could hear higher frequencies, far beyond even my good ear. Literally air movement of a heating fan. The audiologist moved away from me speaking all the way to the other end of the room and I heard every word he spoke easily, even with my good ear plugged.
I don’t notice vast differences between the various modes really. I had the audiologist make an adjustment to the Music setting, so when I played my guitar, I didn’t get an annoying warble kind of character when a string was plucked. I was told it was from a noise reduction algorithm that needed to be turned off in the software he set up.
I tested out the Sentio on a high-end music system and noted that I now do hear the full right channel music information that was not there before. At times, I suppose my brain can fool me into thinking it’s hearing a distinct right channel and not just the information being sent to my good left ear alone. I suspect, in time, my brain may get used to it and I won’t feel like my right-side information isn’t actually there on my right side.
Bluetooth® streaming was too low, so the audiologist turned it up with the ConnectClip and then it was very good indeed. I can now hold my cellphone to my right ear area and have a perfect conversation without issues. The clarity is all there. I no longer struggle to hear the TV, as it now picks up the right speaker info, so I can still hear it from a distance. Conversations are a piece of cake.
You may find it funny but when I use the ConnectClip and place it on a table in front of the stereo TV’s external speaker system, I can blend a little bit of the speaker system output with streaming and get flawless clarity mixed with the nice, rich sound of the speakers. I even noted a bit of a 3-D effect, hearing things in a phantom center channel. Pretty interesting and very enjoyable.
The size is simply superb and you can’t ask for more. I don’t even notice it. So far nobody else has either. It weighs virtually nothing and I don’t even know that it’s physically there. I pay no attention to the fact that the Sentio is on me and so far nobody even notices it. When I point it out to folks, they think it is so cool—had no idea it existed.
When I’m in my office at work or having a meeting online, it works flawlessly. I have shaken my head repeatedly and it doesn’t move at all. While I visit a local restaurant, I hear the TV, conversation, and more. It’s great. It is as close to normal hearing as one can imagine. Unlike a typical hearing aid, you literally forget it’s there and it becomes a part of you and how you function. When you remove the Sentio processor, it becomes so much more obvious how vast a change it makes in your hearing quality.
Wondering whether a bone anchored hearing system in general or the Sentio System specifically might be the right choice to treat your hearing loss? Use these helpful resources, provided courtesy of Oticon Medical:
We are grateful to share one of our young hearing advocate’s recent experience after getting minimally invasive Ponto™ surgery (MIPS), so that she could wear her Ponto on an abutment. While eight-year-old Lexi has been wearing her Ponto SuperPower hearing processor on a softband for some time, she’s now getting even more benefit from it after implantation.
According to Lexi’s mother Staci, Lexi is absolutely thrilled with how clearly she hears things now! After dropping off her daughter at school following her appointment when her Ponto was snapped onto her new abutment, she headed to her classroom for a quick show-and-tell of her new setup. She even introduced the class to Massie the Monkey, which was such a special moment.
“It’s incredible,” Staci shared. “I know some people might think it’s not a big change since she has one ‘good’ ear, but the difference is truly life-changing. The sound quality improvement after MIPS has exceeded all our expectations–it’s leaps-and-bounds beyond what we could have hoped for.”
Ponto is not only known for leading technology, but also for groundbreaking implant techniques designed to shorten surgery and healing time. Our procedures are called minimally invasive because they’re designed to avoid the need for stitches and can be performed in minutes under local anesthesia. With minimal impact on your skin, they offer excellent aesthetic outcomes and fast recovery. 98 percent of all users report an increased quality of life after Ponto surgery.¹
And what did Lexi have to say after getting her processor snapped on? “Mommy, I can hear sounds I’ve never heard before!”
Children learn and grow by absorbing everyday input from the world around them—including sounds. If your child has conductive hearing loss, a bone conduction solution that provides access to more sounds can help ensure they don’t miss out. Find out if a Ponto worn on a softband or abutment could be the right solution for your child’s hearing loss. Contact your hearing care professional today, or to find an HCP in your area, please contact Oticon Medical at 888.277.8014 (M-F 8am-7pm ET) or by email anytime at [email protected].
Lagerkvist H, et al. (2020). Ten years of experience with the Ponto bone anchored hearing system – A systematic literature review. Clin Otolaryngol. 45(5):667-680.
We are excited to bring you a new series of blog posts in 2024. We call them “Part of the Family” because we are featuring families of young Ponto wearers and their experiences not only with Oticon Medical’s bone anchored hearing systems, but also as members of our Oticon Medical extended family of advocates.
Introducing the Bayan Family
The Bayan family includes mom Christine, dad DJ, sister Ava, and Ponto™ 5 SuperPower wearer Sean. Sean underwent a combination of ear reconstruction and our minimally invasive Ponto surgery (MIPS) about a year ago, with the goal of providing him with the best possible access to sound.* The Bayans take every opportunity to offer support to other families who might be considering a BAHS for their child by discussing Sean’s path to better hearing in testimonials and in their community. They have also enjoyed participating in Oticon Medical events where they get to spend time with other families sharing their stories and experiences in a supportive environment.
Open Up Your Child’s World
When your child has a hearing loss, early access to clear, high-quality sound can give them more opportunities to learn and grow—and to engage with all life has to offer. Learn more about our Ponto 5 family of hearing processors and all the ways in which they might benefit your child.
* Ponto surgery is contraindicated for patients under 5 years of age. Not all hearing loss patients are candidates for a bone anchored solution. Patient candidacy and aspects relating to implant
installation are based on individual patient assessment. Outcomes and healing times vary patient to patient. Please consult your hearing care professional. Testimonials represent the opinion of the concerned individuals only and may not be the experience of others.
Lindsey was born with single-sided deafness due to microtia and atresia. Little did she know that answering an ad to record testimonials for Oticon Medical would lead to discovering an effective treatment for her own unilateral hearing loss: the Ponto™ 5 SuperPower bone anchored hearing processor! In this testimonial video — which Lindsey directed herself! — she shares how the unexpected discovery of the Ponto device is supporting her education and career aspirations.
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I never knew any different when it came to what I could hear versus what my peers and family could hear. My biggest problem has always been with the direction of sound. I usually have to watch people talk to fully understand what they are saying. When I talk with people, I make sure they are on my left side so I can hear them. Otherwise, the sound gets mixed in with other noise.
When I was 15, I tried my first implant. Although it increased the volume of sounds, I couldn’t tell which direction sound was coming from in very standard locations and situations. It actually made it more overwhelming trying to understand what everyone was saying because it made everything louder without any distinction. I would get headaches after wearing it for a few hours because it was magnetic.
I am currently in college for film production, and I plan to focus on screenwriting and directing. That being said, I do love videography and cinematography, and getting to begin videography work in a corporate setting has been an amazing opportunity.
I was asked if I wanted to apply for a videography position for Oticon Medical to make testimonials for the Ponto 5 SuperPower. I didn’t tell them I had microtia and atresia until I traveled for the first testimonial. Now I know so many people who also have microtia and atresia or children with microtia and atresia, and I had an amazing summer creating testimonials, improving my craft, and making wonderful connections.
One of the Oticon Medical audiologists offered to let me try the Ponto 5 SuperPower. I could hear distinct sounds coming from both sides, and the volume of things made sense regarding their position from me. It was surreal, yet so natural. It took me a few days to get used to it, but I was delighted with how natural yet powerful everything sounded.
Camilla Gilbert has faced many obstacles in life, including bilateral microtia/atresia with hearing loss and other challenges. Yet nothing has deterred her from helping others and advancing her education. Now she is doing it all with support from her Ponto™ 5 SuperPower bone anchored hearing devices.
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I had heard about many people with Ponto 5 SuperPower devices and wanted to try them. I heard that it was terrific regarding the sound quality, power, and feedback reduction.
Before I went back to school for my Masters in Social Work (MSW), I went to school to learn about Deaf culture and history, and ASL. What motivated me to return to school was to become a role model for myself, my daughter, and the communities I knew I would serve one day. I want to help and support people who feel like there is no hope in the Deaf/hard of hearing communities and the disabled community. I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership.
My experience wearing a Ponto to school as an adult compared to going to a school as a kid without treatment is different. I’m able to understand more clearly. I can not only hear the professors, but participate in dialogue with my classmates.
Wearing the Ponto 5 SuperPower is also helping me achieve my goals as an employee, since I’m very new to my position. I can hear my colleagues whispering in their office with the door closed. Maybe we have thin walls, but before this new Ponto 5 SuperPower, I could not hear the whispering!
With Ponto 5 SP, I can communicate in a social situations, such as at a restaurant, in meetings, and at various appointments. Before, I struggled with understanding what people were saying in social situations. Now I can engage more without listening fatigue.
My hearing journey hasn’t been easy. However, this journey is who I am and will always be. Life is what you make out of it, so we must embrace our differences, weirdness, disabilities, and technology. Without technologies from Oticon Medical, which believes that SoundMatters, I wouldn’t understand hearing health’s quality and importance. If you are at a crossroads in your hearing journey, I suggest you do your research about Ponto 5 SuperPower.
Ross Wiseman, pastor and avid hiker, struggled to engage with his congregation and enjoy his leisure time after losing his hearing in one ear suddenly. Treating his hearing loss with a Ponto™ bone anchored hearing system was a life-changing experience. Recently, Ross upgraded to the Ponto 5 SuperPower, and in this new testimonial video, shares how much he loves this next-gen technology.
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The hair cells of my auditory nerves died over a weekend. Friday night, I felt like my ear was stuffed up. Didn’t feel sick at all. Saturday morning I was fine. Was coaching soccer later that day and it happened again. By evening I was fine. Sunday morning, I preached, went home, and took a nap. When I woke up, I couldn’t hear anymore. I thought maybe I was getting a cold or had an ear infection. I called the ENT. When that visit ended, he told me that I was permanently deaf in my left ear. They scheduled a CAT scan to see if I had a tumor. I did not; it was single-sided deafness (SSD) with no explanation.
For over 10 years I lived unaided and was miserable. I couldn’t hear my wife on dates when we would eat out, or when we hiked. She hikes in front of me and when she would speak it was useless to try and communicate. I struggled to enjoy watching tv with my kids or hear at events like ball games. Teaching would make me sick to my stomach as I had to turn my head back and forth to try and hear everyone at the table or in the room). I would often sit with others and just smile because I was lost by the conversations that were going around me. I never could tell what anyone was saying, so it created a disconnect.
When I got my first Ponto, we had our church’s tenth anniversary party. I had so many people come to me who had been with me before I went deaf and say it felt good to have their pastor back. I was out in the open talking to everyone rather than in a corner with one person talking. I was also smiling a lot because I was engaged. I didn’t realize that, during those noisy events, I used to zone out and my face showed it. My Ponto changed everything!
If your audiologist doesn’t use Oticon Medical devices, demand that they reach out to Oticon Medical or find an audiologist who will. I was my doctor’s first Ponto user and implant surgery. Oticon Medical was amazing in sending them a product representative, and when it was time, a surgical rep to explain minimally invasive Ponto surgery (MIPS). Now the majority of their patients who need a bone anchored option go with a Ponto.
Advocate Jay Wiecheta wants you to know how Ponto™ 5 SuperPower supports his busy, active lifestyle.
Jay Wietecha lost the hearing in his right ear at the end of July 2018 due to a 1.8 cm acoustic neuroma that was surgically removed. Despite his surgeons’ best efforts to leave the hearing nerve intact, it still went out and he was left with single-sided deafness (SSD).
Jay spoke to a treatment coordinator post-op who also happened to have become deaf on one side following removal of an acoustic neuroma. She was a Ponto user and advised Jay that it was his best option and worth looking into. In October of 2018, Jay went through the minimally invasive Ponto surgery (MIPS) and had his first Ponto activated in November of that year.
Jay was inspired by his coordinator’s advocacy to pay it forward and advocate for others who might benefit from bone anchored hearing technology. He shares, “As an active member of the Acoustic Neuroma Association, I have been involved with several support groups over the years in which I openly share my experiences and successes with others who are on the same journey, including my decision to have a bone anchored hearing device. I have developed a close relationship with my local ENT who originally diagnosed my tumor and have shared with him how well my device has improved the quality of life, so he can help his patients become informed of the benefits. I often have open discussions with my own patients about the many benefits to having a Ponto and how well it has served me. Whenever someone asks me about the device, even when I’m out in public, I will stop and chat with even strangers about how great the device is and how it benefits me.”
Recently, Jay decided it was time to upgrade to the new Ponto 5 SuperPower. The following are his thoughts and experiences with a device he says has, “A very vibrant and robust sound quality!”
Steffen upgraded from the Ponto™ 3 SuperPower to the new Ponto 5 SuperPower to treat his single-sided deafness recently. The following are his thoughts, which he kindly gave us permission to share.
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I am still very happy with my Ponto SuperPower 5. It continues to remain superior to my old Ponto 3 SP. Notably, the ambient background sound is much more naturally quiet. The Ponto 3 SP had more background noises that made it obvious that I was wearing a hearing device. For the Ponto 5SP, I often have to double-check that it’s even on if it’s quiet in the room or outside. Happily, I’m just confirming that it’s just really quiet in the room or outside vs. a dead battery, etc. On an especially windy day outside, I might switch to “Comfort” mode, but usually it’s not really required.
I’m deaf in my right ear. In a busy, noisy setting, I tend to cock my left ear in the direction of the noise I’m trying to hear but seem to be hearing just fine when walking with someone on my right side. There’s always room for technology improvement in my mind. I’d even be interested in a hearing system that makes me hear better than someone with two good ears!
I really like utilizing my iPhone® with the Ponto 5 SP for work meetings and phone calls. I do not tend to use the accessory (Oticon ConnectClip™), which is designed to do something similar on my Android™ phone. When I’m using the iPhone, I can’t even tell if the sound is external or internal!
Cosmetically, I do like that the Ponto 5 SuperPower processor is smaller than the Ponto 3 SP. Not that big of a deal for me, but in the future, I would be interested in a Ponto that is even smaller and less noticeable out in public. If there is a way to develop one that is flush with my head and does not stick out as much, that would be nice as well. Bottom line is that I’m a very happy customer already but am open to even further improvements.
I really like utilizing my iPhone® with the Ponto 5 SP for work meetings and phone calls. I do not tend to use the accessory (Oticon ConnectClip™), which is designed to do something similar on my Android™ phone. When I’m using the iPhone, I can’t even tell if the sound is external or internal!