ALPHA 2 MPO EPLUS BONE CONDUCTION HEARING AID
Medtronic offers the lowest profile bone conduction hearing implant on the market. The unique design of the Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ bone conduction implant eliminates the need for a post — or abutment — that sticks through the skin to hold the system in place. Instead, our magnetic titanium implant is secured to the skull, under the scalp. After surgery and healing, your skin remains intact and the sound processor with a magnetic spacer connects to the implant. The small, contoured processor offers the lowest profile and can be hidden under your hair.
This means:
- You have no visible screws or other parts sticking out from your skull.
- You do not have to worry about routine cleaning of compromised skin around an abutment.
- You can lead an active lifestyle, choosing your magnetic spacer strength to match your activity level.
- The low-profile implant is less likely to have severe complications if you bump your head near the implant — far safer for a more active lifestyle.1,2
TECHNOLOGY DESIGNED FOR YOUR DAILY LIFE
The Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ is the result of more than 10 years of research and clinical testing. The abutment-free bone anchored hearing aid provides an innovative hearing therapy designed for the way you live your life.
FAST AND SIMPLE SURGERY
A simple outpatient surgery means you’ll be able to be fitted for your Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ processor only four weeks after the operation. Check with your physician to determine the proper timing for fitting your magnetic processor.3,4,5,6
EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE
You’ll get up to two weeks’ of battery life. That’s more convenient and less expensive for you to maintain. The rechargeable battery system provides up to 1 year of battery life.7
INNOVATIVE FEATURES
The completely programmable digital system offers settings and features for different sound environments:
- 8 channels, 16 frequency bands and 4 programs
- Dual-directional microphone amplifies sound in front of you while reducing background noise
- Automatic feedback suppression controls annoying squeals
- Compatible with FM audio input, personal music players, and mobile phones
PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY
The Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ system is designed to transfer amplified sound through the skin into the bone. We call this phenomenon Transcutaneous Energy Transfer (TET™).8
SOUND AMPLIFICATION
Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ offers more sound amplification (gain) than any other magnetic transcutaneous system.9
MRI SAFETY
Patients with Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ magnetic implants can have MRI tests done safely — the Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ implant has FDA conditional clearance for up to a 3 tesla MRI scan. The implant has the smallest transcutaneous MRI shadow at 5 centimeters.10,11 Your audiologist can explain this in more detail for you.
GREATER GAINS, OUTSTANDING SOUND QUALITY
Compared to other magnetic devices, you can expect the highest performance with Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ bone conduction hearing aid.
The Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ system:
- Provides better speech comprehension and quality of life.3,12
- Performs better at higher frequencies (important for speech recognition) when compared to other magnetic systems13,14
- Offers more sound amplification than comparable magnetic transcutaneous system9,13
- Delivers an implant that lies completely under the skin and has a lower risk of skin issues17
The Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ device provides the highest functional gain, accompanied by outstanding sound quality. You can now experience our processor with 45 dB acoustic-mechanical gain, an increase of 16 dB.*
Download the bone conduction hearing therapy brochure to learn more about Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™.
SOPHONO ALPHA 2 AND ALPHA 1 DEVICES
While our first-generation devices, the Sophono Alpha 1 and 2, are no longer sold, we continue to support patients with information and customer care. The most current processor available is the Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ magnetic bone-anchored hearing system. Please check with your doctor and audiologist to see if the Alpha 2 MPO ePlus™ is right for you.
*
Based on data from internal testing with acousto-mechanical gain at 1.6 KHz and 60 dB SPL
1
Siegert, R. Magnetic Coupling of partially implantable Bone Conduction Hearing Aids Without Open Implants, Laryngorhinootologie. 2010 Jun;89(6):346-51. “They could also pursue any contact sport without putting themselves and others under any increased risk of injury.”
2
Siegert, R. Partially Implantable Bone Conduction Hearing Aids without a Percutaneous Abutment (Otomag); Technique and Preliminary Clinical Results, Adv Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;71;41-6. “There is no increased risk for injury, whether for themselves or their sports partner.”
3
Denoyelle F, Coudert C, Thierry B, Parodi M, Mazzaschi O, Vicaut E, Tessier N, Loundon N, Garabedian EN. Hearing rehabilitation with the closed skin bone-anchored implant Sophono™ Alpha1: Results of a prospective study in 15 children with ear atresia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2015 Mar;79(3):382-7.
4
Friedland DR; Runge CL; Kerschner JA. Surgical implantation of the Sophono tr™ anscutaneous bone conduction system. Op Tech in Otolaryngology 2014, 25: 344-347.
5
Comparison of Two Different Sound Processors with a Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing System in Single Sided Deafness Patients presented by Andrew de Jong M.D. at 29th Politzer Society Meeting, Antalya, Turkey, November 16, 2013.
6
Siegert R and Kanderske J. A New Semi-Implantable Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Device: Clinical, Surgical, and Audiologic Outcomes in Patients with Congenital Ear Canal Atresia.
7
ZPower data on file.
8
Scientific White Paper: Transcutaneous Energy Transfer by Bone Conductors through the Skin 29 September 2013.
9
Comparing published transcutaneous device specifications of acousto-mechanical gain at 1.6 KHz and 60 dB SPL.
10
Internal Test Report. Evaluations of Magnetic Field Interactions. Hearing and Artifacts for the Alpha 1 (M) Magnetic Implant, Frank G. Shellock. Ph.D, FACR. FISMRM, August 10. 2012.
11
Azadarrnakl R. Tubbs R. Chen OA. Shellock FG. MRI Information of commonly used otologlc Tmplants: Review and update. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2014. Vol. 150[4) 512.
12
Marsella P, Scorpecci A, Vallarino MV, Di Fiore S, Pacifico C. Sophono in Pediatric Patients: The Experience of an Italian Tertiary Care Center.mOtolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2014 Apr 8;151(2):328-322.
13
Roden D, Gallant S, Friedmann D, Kohan D. Comparing Hearing Outcomes In Osseointegrated Implantable Auditory Devices. Poster presented at the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings, May 2016, Chicago, IL.
14
Amos NE. Humes LE. Contribution of high frequencies to speech recognition in quiet and noise In listeners with varying degrees of high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research (2007) 50, 819-834.
15
Centric A and Chennupatl SK. Abutment-free bone-anchored hearing devices in children: Initial results and experience - lnternational Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology 2014.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.