Pediatric Bone Conduction Outcomes: Lily and Kenzie’s Experience with the MED-EL Bonebridge
”…with my old hearing aid I could hear 3 inches and with my Bonebridge I can hear 100 inches!”
Lily and Kenzie are two young research participants taking part in a study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the MED-EL Bonebridge system in pediatric patients — specifically, children implanted under 12 years of age.
The BONEBRIDGE system is a treatment option for individuals with conductive or mixed hearing loss. It consists of an implanted internal bone conduction device and an external sound processor called the Samba 2. Together, these components allow sound to bypass the outer and middle ear and directly stimulate the inner ear through bone conduction.
Below, Lily, Kenzie, and their mother, Jill, share their experiences participating in the research study and living with the technology.
Lily:
“I like that I can change the cover on my Bonebridge and it’s magnetic. It helps me at school by helping me hear what the teacher is saying and I can hear her through my Samba.”
Kenzie:
“I know that hearing isn’t measured in inches with a ruler, but if it was, with my old hearing aid I could hear 3 inches and with my Bonebridge I can hear 100 inches! It has different cool covers and it just pops right on my head and stays in place all day. I was happy to be in the research study because I can hear better and I hope it can help other kids hear better in the future too!”
Jill (Mom):
“As someone who relies on research professionally to inform my own evidence-based practices, I was excited for the girls to participate in this study. Not only was it an amazing opportunity for them and our family, we recognized the importance of their role in helping other children access the same technology in the future. I have seen growth in both girls’ confidence and independence and will be forever grateful to UNC CI Research and Med-El for the life-changing opportunity.”
Through their participation, Lily and Kenzie not only experienced personal improvements in hearing and confidence, but also contributed to vital research that may help expand access to innovative hearing technology for other children in the years to come.