How a Middle Ear Implant Works

Middle ear implants mechanically cause middle ear structures to vibrate. The vibrations can be amplified and adjusted to optimally compensate for different types and degrees of hearing losses.

1. Sounds are picked up by the microphone of the audio processor.
2. The audio processor is held over the implant by magnetic attraction to a magnet in the implant part. The audio processor converts environmental sounds into electrical signals.
3. The electrical signals are transmitted across the skin to the implanted part. 
4. The implant relays the signal down the conductor link to the FMT (Floating Mass Transducer)
5. The FMT converts the signal into mechanical vibrations that directly drive a middle ear structure and cause it to vibrate.
6. These vibrations then conduct sound to the inner ear and to the brain.