With decades of expertise working with implantable hearing devices, Dr. Jack Wazen has added yet another achievement – this week he was the first neurotology specialist and surgeon in the southeastern United States region to implant the latest FDA approved Cochlear Osia System®. This device is the first of its kind with significant improvements to previous generations of bone conduction hearing systems with amazing results.
Wazen, a partner at Silverstein Institute and Director of Research for Ear Research Foundation shared, “It is an exciting time. The minimally invasive surgery takes only 30 minutes. The risk of skin inflammation and infection is eliminated.” This is because the Osia System® uses osseointegration, or a direct connection to the bone, without skin penetration to the outside.
Wazen also explained how the Osia System® uses digital piezoelectric stimulation, or Piezo Power, to directly transfer sound vibration into the inner ear. “Sound is transmitted through the skull bone. With a powerful high-frequency transducer, speech is significantly clearer.”
The Cochlear Osia System® is available for qualified individuals with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or single-sided sensorineural deafness.
Pamela Messano, area manager of Cochlear®, said, “The device is cosmetically appealing with its thin appearance and it is made to last.” She adds, “It takes four weeks from surgery to activate the device. Patients hear the difference right away. And these are folks who haven’t heard out of the affected ear sometimes for years.”
Wazen has conducted decades of research for all bone conduction portfolio through the Ear Research Foundation. He was the first clinician-scientist in the United States to be recently honored with the Tjellstrom Bone Conduction Award. The Award is given to individuals who have significantly contributed to the field of bone conduction hearing.
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