How the SOUNDBRIDGE Works
The Vibrant Soundbridge Middle Ear Implant System directly causes the middle ear structures to vibrate. Vibration mimics the action produced by sound waves moving through the ear canal. This “direct drive” stimulation enables excellent sound quality without blocking the ear canal.
- Sounds are picked up by the microphone of the audio processor.
- The audio processor converts environmental sounds into electrical signals.
- The electrical signals are transmitted across the skin to the implanted part.
- The implant relays the signal down to the FMT (Floating Mass Transducer).
- The FMT converts the signal into mechanical vibrations that directly stimulate a middle ear structure (e.g., the ossicular chain) causing it to vibrate.
- These vibrations then conduct sound to the inner ear where they are passed on to the brain and are perceived as sound.
