HiSonic Bone Conduction Aid

Hearing Innovations provides the following description of their HiSonic bone conduction hearing aid:

"The HiSonic(r) is a supersonic bone conduction hearing instrument. It shifts auditory sounds into the supersonic range (above 20,000 hertz) and converts them into vibrations which are transmitted to the brain by our vibrating bones (a process called bone conduction). HiSonic(r) represents the very latest technology used for hearing impairment and is the only device of its kind."

The HiSonic(r) is targeted towards people who have profound bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment and do not benefit from traditional hearing aids. Hearing Innovations contends that Cochlear Implant candidates may want to consider this product instead.

Hearing Innovations explains that the "basic components of the HiSonic(r) are a microphone, signal processing unit and transducer. The microphone is very small and clips on a lapel or shirt pocket. The signal processing unit, which is about the size of a portable cassette player and is worn on a belt, shifts the frequency of the signal up from the normal audible range to the supersonic range. The signal is then converted into vibrations and is transferred through a small transducer held in place behind the ear by a headband."

The HiSonic(r) costs $7000 and does not require surgery. It is currently available only in Tucson, Arizona, but additional dispensing offices are planned in major cities.