Bone conduction and middle ear implant assessments
Hearing loss can be managed in different ways, depending on how severe it is and its cause.
Common causes can include:
- conductive hearing loss, when something stops sounds from passing through your outer or middle ear – this is often temporary and caused by conditions like ear infections or glue ear
- sensorineural hearing loss, when something damages your inner ear over time
- mixed hearing loss, when you have both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Some people use a hearing aid to treat these conditions.
If you or a loved one find your hearing aid is not effectively treating your condition, your doctor may refer you to the Statewide Tertiary Adult Audiology Service for an implant assessment. This assessment may be for either a bone conduction implant or middle ear implant.
Paediatric services are provided at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Fremantle Hospital. These services are also available to paediatric patients living within the SMHS catchment (PDF 2MB) at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Fremantle Hospital.
Before your assessment
Please bring your hearing aids and the results of any previous hearing tests.
You are also encouraged to bring a family member or close communication partner for support.
At your assessment
The assessment will determine whether a bone conduction or middle ear implant is a safe and beneficial treatment to improve your communication and quality of life.
An implant audiologist will guide you through a number of tests to assess your:
- hearing
- ear health and the anatomy of your ear
- communication needs
- lifestyle.
The tests are safe and painless. Please note you may need to come to Fiona Stanley Hospital twice to complete all the tests.
Your assessment may include some or all of the following steps.
Review of your medical history
We will talk about your hearing journey, daily communication challenges and what you hope to achieve with an implant.
Full hearing test
We will test your hearing with and without your current hearing aids. Special tests will help determine:
- whether your hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural or mixed
- how well sound travels through the vibration of the ear bone.
Hearing aid assessment
We will check:
- if your current hearing aids are working the best they can
- how well you understand speech while using your aids in both quiet and background noise.
Depending on your hearing profile, we may trial a test device (such as a soft band for bone conduction simulation) to demonstrate how an implant could be of help.
Counselling and setting expectations
We’ll explain and discuss:
- how bone conduction and middle ear implants work
- the differences between the two implants
- what happens on the day the cochlear implant is turned on (activated)
- all the hearing exercises (rehabilitation) you will need to complete once the implant is activated
- what outcomes you can and cannot expect to achieve with a hearing implant
- how to care for your implant.
This is also a great time for you to ask any questions you have.
Quality of life and communication questionnaires
We may ask you to complete questionnaires about how your hearing loss affects your daily life, such as:
- communicating at home, work and social settings
- your emotional wellbeing.
These help us understand the personal impact of your hearing loss and set meaningful goals for improvement.
Medical and imaging tests
Our team works closely with the ear, nose and throat (ENT) team.
If you have not already been assessed by the ENT team, we will refer you for an appointment.
After your assessment
Once all your assessments are complete, the hearing implant team will meet with you to discuss your results.
You will then have a follow-up appointment to discuss whether a bone conduction implant, a middle ear implant, or another option is recommended. Learn more about a bone conduction or middle ear implant.
If one of these options is appropriate for you and you choose to proceed, the medical and audiology team will guide you through the next steps.
Referral information
You will need a referral from your general practitioner (GP) or specialist to access this service.
Your appointment letter will note the location of your outpatient appointment.
Read how to manage your outpatient appointment using the Manage my Care app.
Fiona Stanley Hospital patients
Call the Fiona Stanley Helpdesk on 6152 2222 and ask for your specific clinic or audiologist.
Outpatient clinics are located on the ground floor of the main hospital building, off the main concourse. The main entrance to the hospital is accessed off Robin Warren Drive – view the Fiona Stanley Hospital map (PDF 1MB).
Fremantle Hospital patients
Call the Fremantle Hospital switchboard on 9431 3333 and ask for your specific clinic or audiologist.
Please go to B Block Level 4, Fremantle Hospital, Alma St Fremantle – view the Fremantle Hospital map (PDF 675KB).
Royal Perth Hospital patients
Call Royal Perth Hospital switchboard on 9224 2244 and ask for your specific clinic.
The Outpatient Audiology and ENT Department is located Level 4, Nicholay Block – see the Royal Perth Hospital map (external site).
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital patients
Call Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital switchboard on 6457 3333 and ask for your specific clinic. The Outpatient Audiology and ENT Department is located on E Block, Ground Floor, Area 2 – see the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital map (external site).
Opening hours
8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.