Middle Ear Implant
Also written as: MEI — Middle Ear Implant
A partially or fully implantable hearing device that drives one of the ossicles or the round window membrane directly, used for patients with mild to severe hearing loss who are not suitable candidates for conventional hearing aids.
Full Definition
A middle ear implant (MEI) is a surgically implanted device in which a microphone—either external or implanted—captures sound and converts it to mechanical vibrations delivered directly to the ossicular chain or to the round window of the cochlea. Unlike conventional hearing aids, MEIs do not occlude the ear canal, making them suitable for patients with chronic otitis externa, skin conditions, or acoustically problematic ear canal anatomy. They are indicated across a range of hearing loss severities depending on the specific device. Editors should note that 'middle ear implant' is distinct from 'cochlear implant' (which stimulates the auditory nerve electrically) and from 'bone-anchored hearing system' (which transmits vibrations through the skull). Abbreviate as MEI on subsequent use after expansion.
Usage
Usage note: Do not conflate with cochlear implant (electrical neural stimulation) or BAHS (bone conduction). Expand MEI on first use.
In Context
- "The patient's chronic external otitis precluded conventional hearing aid use, and she was referred for a middle ear implant evaluation." — ENT specialist referral letter
- "The review compared audiological outcomes across three device types: conventional hearing aids, middle ear implants, and bone-anchored hearing systems." — Systematic review methods section