Question
For a four-year-old boy with microtia and atresia in his right ear and a conductive hearing loss who will wear a sound processor on a Softband - is Ponto 3 or Ponto 3 SuperPower recommended?
Answer
The Ponto 3 SuperPower is the first abutment-level processor for hearing losses up to 65 dB average bone conduction thresholds. The Ponto 3 SuperPower is a single-unit processor that delivers great sound quality and reliability. There's not any need for wearing an additional element on this powerful processor.
Based upon audiological information, every person using a bone anchored hearing system can benefit from the maximum force output (MFO) of the SuperPower device. The prescribed gain is always based on the hearing loss, not the device. Even with the power provided by Ponto 3 SuperPower, the maximum output possible is still more than 20 dB below that of what we'd expect for conventional hearing aids and well below a typical bone anchored hearing system user's loudness discomfort level (LDL). The patient will experience better sound quality because of a wider dynamic range, more headroom and less distortion in loud environments and in background noise.
If it is a cosmetic concern that you're addressing, then all of the other benefits of Ponto 3 are available in the Ponto 3 (regular strength) sound processor.
At what age can a child transition from the using Ponto 3 on a Softband, to having surgery for a bone anchored hearing system?
The FDA stipulates the age for a surgically-implanted bone anchored hearing system is 5 years and older.
For an adult with single-sided deafness (SSD) of congenital origin who is a candidate for a bone anchored hearing system, which Ponto 3 device is appropriate?
For SSD patients, to take into account transcranial attenuation, the Ponto 3 SuperPower would be recommended.
What battery size is used in the Ponto 3 sound processors?
Ponto 3 uses a size 13 battery. Ponto 3 Power uses a 675 battery. Ponto 3 SuperPower device uses a 675P. It's a more powerful 675 battery that is used in order to drive the UltraDrive technology, this additional transducer technology. 675P batteries should also be available from wherever you currently order your batteries. They are commonly used in cochlear implants.
For more information on the Ponto 3 family of sound processors, check out the CEU course, Oticon Medical's Ponto 3 Sound Processor Family: Proven Technology to Make Listening Easier.
