English - United Kingdom
  1. Home
  2. Hearing Solutions
  3. Middle Ear Implant

VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE

Middle Ear Implant

A middle ear implant is a simple yet effective way to hear clearly and naturally. Discover why VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE is the most popular middle ear implant system available and what it can do for you.

VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE

A New Way To Hear

SOUNDBRIDGE is ideal for individuals who don’t hear any improvement with hearing aids or cannot use hearing aids for medical reasons. Instead of amplifying sound like hearing aids do, SOUNDBRIDGE brings sound directly inside your ear. This innovative way of hearing also ensures natural sound quality, making it easier to hear the things you love most.

SOUNDBRIDGE

  • Single-point attachment to ensure structure preservation

  • Clear, natural hearing without feedback

  • SAMBA 2 audio processor with a sleek and comfortable design

Middle Ear Implant

How Does SOUNDBRIDGE Work?

SOUNDBRIDGE is designed for people with mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, or mixed hearing loss.

The SAMBA 2 audio processor picks up sound waves and then sends them to the SOUNDBRIDGE implant. The implant turns the sound waves into mechanical vibrations that get sent to the cochlea and then to the brain, just like in the normal hearing process.

video thumbnail
Middle Ear Implant

The Perfect Match

SOUNDBRIDGE is built to give you a lifetime of better hearing. With the latest in hearing technology plus a reliable, MRI-compatible design, you can hear your best for many years to come.

And the comfortable SAMBA 2 audio processor is an easy-to-use device with a variety of design covers and flexible connectivity options.

SAMBA 2
Audio Processor

  • Lightest audio processor
  • Stylish design covers
  • Intelligent hearing technology

Find Out More

VORP 503

VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE
VORP 503 Implant

  • Natural sound quality
  • Long-term reliability
  • 1.5 Tesla MRI without surgery*
Why Choose SOUNDBRIDGE

Why Choose SOUNDBRIDGE

Beyond Hearing Aids

With SOUNDBRIDGE, you have nothing inside your ear canal, which prevents ear infections experienced by some hearing aid users.

And since SOUNDBRIDGE delivers sound directly to your middle ear, it can make sounds much stronger and clearer than most hearing aids—and without any feedback. So you can enjoy the full spectrum of hearing, from the loudest to the quietest sounds.

73%
Better hearing

A Lifetime of Hearing

SOUNDBRIDGE can be used by both adults and children. Its unique design makes it suitable for children as young as five years old, improving their hearing by up to 73%**. Access to sound helps children develop like their peers and go on to achieve whatever they want in life.

Every new audio processor we design is compatible with every SOUNDBRIDGE implant, so you can always benefit from the latest advances in hearing technology.

Since most of us will need an MRI scan at some point in our lifetime, the latest SOUNDBRIDGE implant is designed to offer you easy MRIs*** 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****.

easyMRI
 User Testimonials

Connect With a Real User

Our Hearpeers mentors are middle ear implant users and parents of recipients from around the world. They are ready to answer your questions about life with a hearing implant.

See All Mentors

Steps to Your Middle Ear Implant

What can you expect next?

1

Assessment

First, you’ll undergo routine assessments to ensure you’re a candidate for a middle ear implant and find out whether there are any additional factors your implant team should consider. Your clinical team will walk you through the specifics of what to expect in the following steps.

2

Implantation

SOUNDBRIDGE surgery is straightforward and usually lasts one to two hours under general anaesthesia. Recipients are usually back on their feet the next day. Your hospital stay may last one or more days depending on your individual needs and what’s typical in your area. 

3

Activation

Your first fitting will take place a few weeks after implantation. This “activation day” is when your audiologist will turn on your audio processor for the first time and you’ll hear your first new sounds. The audio settings of your processor will be adjusted to fit your hearing preferences.

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 we will provide you with further information.

Your request and contact details will be forwarded to the closest MED-EL office or certified partner in your country. MED-EL will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our privacy policy page. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

< Back

Technical Data

⌀ 28 mm
14.2 mm
22 mm
0.5 mm
⌀ 1.8 mm
2.3 mm
VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE implant
4.4 mm
4.1 mm
125 °
57 mm
VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE

VORP 503


Contents of Implant Kit

  • 1 VORP 503 middle ear implant
  • 3 self-drilling cortical screws
  • 1 single-use screwdriver

Weight

  • 10.6 g

Materials in Contact With Tissue
Implant: medical grade silicone elastomers, titanium, medical grade epoxy Screws: titanium alloy Ti 6Al 7Nb


Recommended Bone Bed Depth for Demodulator
1.9 mm


Safety Features
Overvoltage protection


MRI Conditions
MR-conditional at 1.5 Tesla***


Screw Penetration in Bone
3.5 mm (max.)


Maximum Immersion Depth
50 m in salt water (6 bar)


Biocompatible in Accordance With ISO 10993-1


Latex-free*****


Delivered sterile


Not for Reuse


Vibroplasty Couplers


Incus-SP-Coupler

  • For placement onto the short process of the incus
  • Material in contact with tissue: titanium grade 5 ELI (ASTM F136)
  • Contents of kit: 1 Coupler, 1 holding frame, 1 retainer

Incus-LP-Coupler

  • For placement onto the long process of the incus
  • Material in contact with tissue: titanium grade 5 ELI (ASTM F136), titanium grade 2 (ASTM F67)
  • Contents of kit: 1 Coupler, 1 holding frame, 1 retainer

RW-Soft-Coupler

  • For placement onto the round window membrane
  • Material in contact with tissue: Medical silicone and silicone gel
  • Contents of kit: 2 Couplers, 1 holding frame, 2 retainers

Vibroplasty-CliP-Coupler

  • For placement onto the stapes head
  • Material in contact with tissue: titanium grade 2, titanium grade 1
  • Contents of kit: 1 Coupler

Stapes-SH-Coupler

  • For placement onto the stapes head
  • Material in contact with tissue: Titanium Grade 2 (ASTM F67) and Titanium Grade 5 (ASTM F136)
  • Contents of kit: 1 Coupler, 1 holding frame, 1 retainer


* Unless required for diagnostic reasons.
** The VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE in Children and Adolescents: Post Market Clinical Follow-Up Study Final Analysis, March 2017
*** The SOUNDBRIDGE VORP 503 implant is MR conditional. Recipients with the SOUNDBRIDGE VORP 503 implant may be safely MRI scanned at 1.5 Tesla following the conditions detailed in the instructions for use.
**** The terms and conditions of the MRI Guarantee can be found here.
***** Where “latex-free” means “not made with latex” in accordance with the latest FDA “Recommendations for Labeling Medical Products to Inform Users that the Product or Product Container is not Made with Natural Rubber Latex” guideline, 2014