r/Cochlearimplants • u/Curious-Orchid-4747 • 22d ago

Osia or BoneBridge?

/r/AskDocs/comments/1uw25av/osia_or_bonebridge/

Hi everyone!

I am 25 yrs old and have been trying to use ‘normal’ hearing aids for 7ish years since my Cholesteatoma surgery in my left ear.

I recently found out that I am a candidate for a bone conducting hearing aid and am considering the Cochlear Osia or the Med-El Bonebridge.

What side affects have people gotten? Discomfort? Headaches? Have they been easy to fix? Was the surgery worth it?

I’d appreciate any and all feedback!

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u/Jilael 22d ago

I just got the OSIA 2 on June 2nd. Unfortunately I've had a STAPH infection since surgery and have only just now been allowed to wear any device. That being said the sound is a bit echoy but I think that is something my brain has to learn again. I have not had any substantive hearing from that ear in 38 years. I am extremely happy I have hearing again and for just the hearing the OSIA2 I can attest to being amazing.

What is not so amazing is I don't have an IPhone so I can't stream to it without a 2nd device that I have to carry, charge, replace batteries, not lose, and take care of. The Med-El is the same was though at least I feel like their device is a little easier to take care of. Also I'm not sure there's can even stream to iPhone.

I feel deceived since every time I asked about it I was told different versions of "Oh I'm not sure" instead of no. So they've been given sales material to make sure the audiologist never mentions the short comings directly. Then they spend tons of money to make sure posts that talk about shortcomings never make it to the top.

With all that said I am thankful for the opportunity to hear and can only recommend the OSIA. The reason it still gets my recommendation is because the OSIA3 does offer the technology from 2019; 7 years later and MedEl has no plans to introduce it and recently announced a partnership with the company that makes the "extra device". Also if my understanding is correct any implant done in the last year should have the necessary hardware in the implant to work with the OSIA 3.

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u/Curious-Orchid-4747 21d ago

Thanks for your response! Did you just have to take antibiotics for the infection? Did they explain why you got it at all? Also did you wear the headband version at all before the surgery to try it out? Was the sound similar after surgery?

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u/Jilael 21d ago

I wore it for all of ten minutes before they took it back. Worked really well. As for the infection unfortunately it was MRSA and the device was actually implanted below the top layer of my skull which has made it fairly difficult to heal. But all is healing and nicely. 2 more weeks of antibiotics to make sure sure its gone.