A common soundbridge implant surgery at surgery center facility in Maryland includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Ear, nose, & throat doctor visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$165 |
Provider fee to remove mastoid bone with implantation of cochlear stimulating system
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$1,880 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to remove mastoid bone with implantation of cochlear stimulating system
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$16,983 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for CT scan of ear
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$349 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$18 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$224 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
359 |
$798 |
Total average cash price |
|
A common soundbridge implant surgery at outpatient hospital facility in Maryland includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Ear, nose, & throat doctor visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$165 |
Provider fee to remove mastoid bone with implantation of cochlear stimulating system
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$1,880 |
Facility |
Outpatient Hospital fee to remove mastoid bone with implantation of cochlear stimulating system
level 6
Standard
|
1 |
$22,164 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for CT scan of ear
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$349 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$18 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$224 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
359 |
$798 |
Total average cash price |
|
The Soundbridge implant is an alternative to traditional hearing aids developed by the Vibrant company. Traditional hearing aids sit inside the ear canal, like an earplug. The Soundbridge is placed in the middle ear, which is behind the eardrum. This allows the ear canal to remain unblocked and removes the need for a hearing aid to sit over the top of the ear.
A Soundbridge implant is recommended to patients that dislike the appearance of traditional hearing aids, have significant ear discomfort from hearing aids, or participate in activities such as swimming that make regular removal and replacement of hearing aids difficult.
No, a Soundbridge implant is not the same as a cochlear implant. While they sound similar, they work in very different ways. The Soundbridge implant transmits the mechanical vibrations that make up sound into the middle ear. These vibrations are amplified by the device and increase the volume of sound.
A cochlear implant takes the mechanical vibrations of sound and converts them into electrical signals. These signals are then used to stimulate the nerves in the inner ear. This is useful for people born without, or lose, the ability for their ear to sense the vibrations that form sound.
The Soundbridge implant is for those with gradual age-related hearing loss, hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds, and hearing loss as a result of certain injuries. Cochlear implants are used in a wide variety of cases, the most common being those that are born without hearing.
The surgery to place a Soundbridge implant involves making a cut either within the ear canal or behind the ear. This incision is responsible for almost all of the pain from this surgery. The pain is most significant in the first few hours after surgery and can be easily treated with one to two doses of prescription pain medication.
Both Soundbridge and cochlear implants are designed to last a lifetime. The portion of the implant placed inside the body is powered by the part placed outside the body on the skin. This means that the implant does not need to be removed to have batteries replaced.
The vast majority of both Soundbridge and cochlear implants are successful, resulting in significantly improved hearing with few complications. As with any surgery, complications and failures do occur, but they are rare.
One study performed in 2015 noted a failure rate of 3.4% in the Soundbridge implant. This failure rate was highest in the first few years after the implant was authorized for use (in 2002). Since then, the implants have increased in reliability.
The two most common complications of both cochlear implants and the Soundbridge implant is infection. In many cases, this can be treated with antibiotics. However, in some cases, repeat surgery is required.
Soundbridge implants are easier to implant, have a lower rate of complications, a more rapid recovery, and provide a more natural-sounding sense of hearing that is much closer to that of a natural human ear.
The cochlear implant has the main advantage of being able to restore hearing in those that lose their hearing due to issues with the cochlea, the organ that senses sound. In these cases, the Soundbridge implant is not helpful in restoring hearing. In all other patients with gradual hearing loss, the Soundbridge implant is a highly effective option.
About the soundbridge implant surgery Average Cash Prices
This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical
facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures
performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital,
but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support
services that a hospital provides.
Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital,
but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and
procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are
often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient
hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to
the hospital system.
