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Reliable Hearing by Design:
MED-EL’s BONEBRIDGE

Thousands of recipients rely on BONEBRIDGE’s technology to enjoy their lives every day. That’s why we made BONEBRIDGE safe and reliable by design.

Yoga outdoors near a modern building; SAMBA 2 audio processor visible in natural daylight.

Our Philosophy:
360° Safety and Reliability

We designed BONEBRIDGE with a broad 360-degree view of what’s needed to make a bone conduction implant system safe and reliable. Not only is it engineered to withstand impact and keep your skin healthy. We also designed BONEBRIDGE to avoid complications, give you easy access to MRI scans,* and make everyday hearing simple with a reliable audio processor.

360° infographic highlighting BONEBRIDGE safety and reliability across six key areas.

With our complete 360-degree approach, it’s no coincidence BONEBRIDGE provides outstanding reliability.

Implant Reliability

Now the only implant of its kind with over a decade of experience since 2012, thousands of recipients trust BONEBRIDGE to hear every day.

Impact Safety

We engineered BONEBRIDGE for impact resistance. It has a robust titanium design recessed partly in the bone for protection and is secured at two points instead of only one.

MRI Safety*

BONEBRIDGE is the only bone conduction implant in the world covered by a life-long MRI guarantee.***

Clinical Safety

BONEBRIDGE has a significantly lower rate of minor complications than other devices on the market.[ft]

Skin Safety

BONEBRIDGE is placed under your skin to transfer vibrations directly to the bone. Its ergonomic design allows your skin to remain healthy.

Audio Processor Reliability

We designed BONEBRIDGE’s audio processors to provide outstanding reliability. That means fewer visits to your clinic.

Healthcare professional consults with a BONEBRIDGE user adjusting a SAMBA 2 processor.

BONEBRIDGE: Trusted Longer Than Any Other Implant of Its Kind

Working closely with surgeons and clinicians, we optimised the second-generation BONEBRIDGE to be as safe and reliable as possible. With over a decade of clinical experience and thousands of implantations worldwide, BONEBRIDGE has a proven track record of outstanding reliability.

  • Trusted by thousands worldwide
  • Fewer skin-related issues[ft]
  • Unmatched, long-term clinical experience

The Value of a Reliable Bone Conduction Implant

Choosing a hearing implant is a life-long decision. With BONEBRIDGE, you’ll have hearing you can always count on. Higher implant reliability can lead to a lower risk of additional surgery and higher satisfaction.

The Cumulative Survival Rate (CSR) is the measure of each implant model’s reliability over time. For example, a CSR of 95% after seven years means that the probability of the bone conduction implant providing continued benefits after seven years is 95%.

A Robust, Long-Lasting Implant

MED-EL reporting on implant reliability and safety is compliant with International Standard ISO 5841-2:2014.[ft]

The cumulative survival rate of the second-generation BONEBRIDGE is 98.73% within 6 years.

MED-EL, Data on file as of July 1, 2026

Child with a SAMBA 2 processor enjoys outdoor time with a parent in a sunlit setting.

Proven Experience in Clinics

Clinics that work with hearing implants often publish studies on the safety and reliability of each hearing implant. These independent studies can help you gain a deeper understanding of how safe and reliable each implant is.

BONEBRIDGE Has Fewer Skin-Related Issues

Some skin-related issues such as swelling, pain, redness, or wound infections may require visits to a clinic for care. BONEBRIDGE has a significantly lower rate of such complications compared to other bone conduction devices, according to a study examining over 6000 implantations from clinics around the world.[ft]

The study found that skin-related issues were reported 2.5 times more often with OSIA than with BONEBRIDGE within one year after implantation.[ft]

“Although [bone conduction devices that send vibrations via something sticking out through the skin] are more powerful, they present complications that easily exceed 30%, which leads to more problems than solutions—not to mention the fact that they are aesthetically unpleasant."

Professor Mario E. Zernotti
Catholic University and National University of Córdoba, Argentina

Older adult wearing a hearing device looks in a mirror in a bright, calm indoor setting.

Very Reliable Against Impact

Accidents can happen in everyday life. That’s why we made sure that BONEBRIDGE is robust enough to withstand sudden forces, like accidentally hitting your head.[ft] This is very important for energetic children or people who often do sports.

Since it is secured at two points fully underneath your skin and recessed partly in the bone for protection, BONEBRIDGE is very reliable against impact.

Some other bone conduction implants are not secured underneath your skin or are only attached at one point. These implants face an increased risk that they could be damaged by external forces in an accident.

  • Secured at two points
  • Nothing sticking out through your skin
  • Impact resistant[ft]
"It was important for my decision that the implant sits completely under the skin and does not partially protrude from the scalp as with other systems. My family supported me in my decision, as well as my circle of friends."

Mirco
BONEBRIDGE User in Germany

Hidden Underneath Healthy Skin

With BONEBRIDGE, there are no open wounds or skincare routines to worry about. BONEBRIDGE allows your skin to remain healthy over the implant, without an unsightly bulge.

Instead, the stylish externally-worn audio processor sits comfortably on your head and is easy to hide under your hair. Some people forget they are even wearing it.

  • Skin can remain healthy over the implant
  • No open wounds
  • No unsightly bulge
"BONEBRIDGE is aesthetically very wearable for children who will soon be adolescents and will face discrimination or bullying for wearing [a hearing device]. This is not achieved with other devices."

Professor Mario E. Zernotti
Catholic University and National University of Córdoba, Argentina

Made for the Future

BONEBRIDGE’s robust design means you can benefit from years of great hearing.

We designed BONEBRIDGE to be compatible with future audio processors so you can easily benefit from future advances in technology by upgrading to the latest audio processor.

BONEBRIDGE also features magnet technology made for MRI to give you easy access to MRI scans,* and it is the only bone conduction implant in the world covered by a life-long MRI guarantee.

BONEBRIDGE BCI 602 implant with easyMRI badge, showcasing its MR conditional design.
Diamond-White

Great Protection. Guaranteed.

With BONEBRIDGE, you’ll be prepared for whatever the future might bring. You can undergo hassle-free MRI scans at 1.5 Tesla* with no surgery,** no discomfort, and no hearing downtime. And because of our long and positive experience with MRIs, we even offer a life-long MRI guarantee for your implant.***

Child with a SAMBA 2 processor smiles by a pool in a bright outdoor setting.

Reliable Hearing for Everyday Activities

BONEBRIDGE’s SAMBA 2 audio processor has a proven record of providing outstanding reliability. With a reliable audio processor, you or your loved one will have reliable hearing no matter what each day brings. It also means fewer visits to your clinic.

Low Average Monthly Repair Rate

The monthly repair rate is a percentage that indicates the total number of audio processors returned in a month compared to the total number sold by the end of that month.

If an audio processor has an average monthly repair rate of 0.99%, it means that, on average, 99 audio processors have been returned for repair each month out of 10,000 total audio processors sold in the world by the end of the period covered.

SAMBA 2 has a low average monthly repair rate of 1.39%.

"My BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant and my SAMBA 2 audio processor have allowed me to have a future full of beautiful sounds. Thanks to them, I was able to start playing the cello and can do any sport I want without restrictions."

Daniel
BONEBRIDGE User From Spain

Choosing an Active Bone Conduction Implant

You deserve a bone conduction hearing system that is safe and reliable by design. When choosing an active bone conduction implant, there are several important factors to keep in mind.

BONEBRIDGEOsia****
  
  
  
  
  
  
 

Reliable Hearing You Can Trust

From the very beginning, MED-EL has been guided by our founders, the inventors of the modern micro-electronic multichannel cochlear implant. Our mission is to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication and quality of life.

To us, reliability is not a percentage on an earnings report for investors. Every recipient is a person, not a number. When you choose MED-EL, we know you are putting your trust in our hands, so we make sure we are always there for you.

Person with a BONEBRIDGE implant and SAMBA 2 processor shares a close moment with a loved one.

We’re Here for You on Your Hearing Journey

Would you like to find out more about how MED-EL’s hearing solutions could help you or someone you care for? Simply fill out the contact form, and your local MED-EL office or partner will provide you with more information.

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* The BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant is MR conditional. Recipients with BONEBRIDGE may be safely MRI scanned at 1.5 Tesla following the conditions detailed in the instructions for use.
** Unless required for diagnostic reasons.
*** The terms and conditions of the MRI Guarantee can be found here.
**** Osia is a trademark of Cochlear Ltd, Australia.