The Technology

The Science of Bone Conduction

SoundBite™ is a bone conduction prosthetic hearing device. Prosthetic hearing devices produce the perception of sound by replacing the function of the middle ear, cochlea, or auditory nerve. As long as one cochlea is functional, SoundBite Hearing System allows sound to travel via the teeth, through the bones, to the functioning cochlea, bypassing the middle and outer ear entirely. By using bone conduction via the teeth, SoundBite is intended to help patients who suffer from Single Sided Deafness or Conductive Hearing Loss rejoin the conversation of life, all without surgery.

Non-surgical, Wireless Sound Transmission Via the Teeth – How it Works

Merging the well-known principles of bone conduction together with advanced wireless and sound processing technology, SoundBite is the world’s first non-surgical and removable bone conduction hearing system to imperceptibly transmit sound via the teeth. The SoundBite Hearing System consists of both a BTE (behind-the-ear) microphone unit, housing the receiver, wireless transmitter, and attached microphone, and a discreet, removable ITM (in-the-mouth) hearing device. An inductive charger unit is provided to charge the BTE microphone unit and ITM hearing device.

 

SoundBite detects sound using a tiny microphone placed in an open-fit dome within the ear canal of the impaired ear. This nearly invisible microphone is attached by a thin tube to a transmitter unit called a BTE worn behind-the-ear. Placing the microphone in the ear canal allows the SoundBite Hearing System to capitalize on the natural acoustic benefit provided by the patient’s own pinna or outer ear to capture and direct sound.

 

Once sound is captured by the microphone, it is processed by the BTE digital audio device. The BTE wirelessly transmits sound to the removable ITM (in-the-mouth) hearing device, which is custom made for the patient’s own teeth. The ITM hearing device in turn uses advanced technology to produce imperceptible sound vibrations that are conducted via the teeth, through bone, to the both cochleae. In this way, the SoundBite Hearing System is intended to provide clear, high fidelity sound and thus restore normal hearing to patients who are essentially deaf in one ear, with no surgery or modifications to the teeth required.

 

SoundBite Hearing System is intended for patients who suffer from Single Sided Deafness or Conductive Hearing Loss and seek a non-surgical, non-invasive, hearing device that delivers high fidelity sound. If you would like more information about key features of this innovative technology, visit www.soundbitehearing.com.