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Implants (Audiology)

Hearing Implants

A hearing implant can be an excellent alternative when conventional hearing aids are unsuitable.

Bonebridge hearing aid

A surgically implanted vibrating device with an external audio processor held in place by the implanted magnet.

Vibrant Sound bridge

A middle ear implant acting directly on the ossicular chain.

Cochlear Implants

There is a separate national programme for cochlear implants run at Crosshouse Hospital in Ayrshire: please see http://www.sciponline.co.uk/ for details. However GPs cannot refer directly to that: please refer to Audiology in NHS Lothian.

Who to refer:

  • Patients aged over 16 with mild to severe hearing loss (<65dB HL) struggling with conventional hearing aids as a result of:
    • Recurrent infections
    • Ear canal stenosis / atresia
    • Unhappiness with the sound quality
  • Patients aged over 16 with single sided deafness (>80dB HL).

Who not to refer:

This service is for patients previously seen by ENT or audiology. New ear disease (e.g. deafness/perforation/discharge/abnormal appearance of ear drum) must be seen by ENT first.

How to refer:

Please refer by SCI Gateway to Audiology at Lauriston.
Please note that this service is not available at St John’s or East Lothian Community Hospital.