What is a Bone Conduction Hearing Implant or BCHI
A bone-conduction hearing implant (BCHI) is a surgically implanted hearing device that works through direct bone conduction, working independently of the ear canal and middle ear.
It has been well recognised as a hearing treatment for conductive and mixed hearing loss since 1977 and was approved for single-sided deafness (SSD) in 2002.
Conventional BCHIs consist of a titanium implant, an external abutment (percutaneous - the abutment sits through/above the skin) and a detachable hearing device.
Another type of BCHI consists of an internal implanted magnet (transcutaneous - which means under the skin) and a hearing device.
The BCHI can help people with chronic ear infections, malformed ear canals, otosclerosis and single–sided sensory hearing loss who cannot benefit from conventional hearing aids.
More information on BCHIs can he found on the Oticon Medical website.
The above images shows an abutment, the percutaneous Implant for a BCHI. These are the most common type to attach a BCHI.
The above images shows an the transcutaneous implant and the hearing device for a BCHI. These are newer than the abutment and less common for this reason.
Contact details
- audiology@uhb.nhs.uk
- 0121 371 7104
- 07939 988 871 (SMS text service)
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre
Ground floor
Nuffield House
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
B15 2TH
BCHI Assessment
The initial assessment will be with an audiologist and may last up to two hours. You are very welcome to bring someone to support you to the appointment.
The assessment may involve the following:
- Ear Examination
- Discussion about your hearing loss, general health and reasons for referral
- Hearing tests
- Assessment of your current hearing aids
- Discussion of the hearing device options available to you – it may be that another type of hearing device may be more suitable
- Hearing aid refitting if appropriate
- Explanation of how the BCHI works
At the end of the assessment, you will know whether your hearing loss is suitable for a BCHI and can decide if you want to consider having one. You will be offered a trial if you are suitable. This will be fitted on a headband which you can take home to try, followed by a review. Information on the trial can be Onticon Medical's website.
If there are any other options available to you for support in your hearing these will be discussed as well.
If you decide to go ahead with a BCHI, an appointment will be booked with one of the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) consultants to discuss surgery.
BCHI Surgery
Surgery may take place at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Solihull Hospital or Heartlands Hospital.
Depending on the type of implant the operation may be performed under general or local anaesthetic and these options will be discussed with you.
The operation usually lasts between 15 to 60 minutes. Most patients can go home that day, although occasionally you may need to stay overnight.
BCHI Fitting
The bone-conduction hearing implant (BCHI) is fitted once the abutment fixture or wound has fully healed, for most people this will be around 6 weeks after surgery.
The appointment may involve the following:
- Ear examination
- Examination of the abutment site
- Setting the hearing device
- How to use an maintain the hearing device
- How to look after the abutment site
Follow-up and Review appointments
These usually take place at eight weeks after fitting. If further appointments are needed this can be discussed with the clinician and booked as required.
The hearing device may be upgraded if it becomes out-of-date, you will be contacted when this occurs.
The hearing device
The hearing device may look like these, depending on what is chosen. You will know before the fitting which one you will be getting, and you get a choice of colours. Below are a variety images of the hearing devices.
BCHI Repairs
We do run a booked repair service. Please do not arrive at the department without an appointment, we are unable to see drop-in repairs.
If you are having an issue with your BCHI please contact us on:
Repair appointments are
- 15 minutes
- not for adjusting or fine-tuning of the hearing device nor for hearing tests
If you are unable to visit us there are other ways to get your hearing device repaired:
- Book an appointment and have a friend or relative bring the BCHI instead of coming yourself.
- You (or a friend) can drop it off for repair and collect it once it is fixed. No appointment is required for this, but it can take several hours for us to repair it.
- We can post a replacement hearing device to you, and you can post the old hearing device back to us. Please post them and your details to
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre
Ground floor
Nuffield House
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
B15 2TH
BCHI Batteries
As a reminder, batteries are dangerous, please keep both new and used batteries away from small animals and children, or anyone else who might ingest them.
If you have a hearing device from us, we can post out batteries and spares. Contact us.
- audiology@uhb.nhs.uk
- 0121 371 7104
- 07939 988 871 (SMS text service)
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre
Ground floor
Nuffield House
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
B15 2TH
Please include your hospital number (if possible), name, date of birth, and what you need.
We will not call you back unless we have a query, but we will action the request.
Drop in for batteries only: 9:00 and 16:00 Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
You can request batteries using our parts ordering form.
- [Form coming soon]
Battery Centres
Alternatively, you can go to one of these centres who provide batteries on behalf of us.
| Address | Post code | Opening times |
|---|---|---|
| Selly Oak Health Centre, 15 Katie Road, Selly Oak | B29 6JG | 08:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday |
| Northfield Health Centre, 15 St Heliers Road, Northfield | B31 1QT | 08:30 - 16:30 Monday to Friday |
| Quinton Lane Care Centre, 27 Quinton Lane, Quinton | B32 2TR | 08:30 - 16:30 Monday to Friday |
| Poplar Road Health Centre, Poplar Road, Kings Heath | B14 7AG | 09:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday |
| Hall Green Health Centre, 979 Stratford Road, Hall Green | B28 8BG | 08:30 - 17:15 Monday to Friday |
| Hearing Centre, Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green | B9 5SS | |
| Broadmeadow Health Centre, Keynell Covert, Kings Norton | B30 3QT | 08:30 - 16:00 Monday to Friday |
| The Community Church, Quarry Road, Weoley Castle | B29 5LE | 10:00 - 14:00 Monday, Wednesday and Friday |
| New Frankley in Birmingham Parish Council, 12 Arden Road, Frankley | B45 0JA | 09:00 - 13:00 Monday - Friday |
Useful websites
BCHI Manufactures
About BCHIs
How the ear works
Videos
Troubleshooting
Here are some common problems that you may be able to fix yourself
Problems
- There is no sound from the BCHI
- The hearing device is not loud enough
- Whistling/feedback
- Distortion / lacking clarity
- Issues with the abutment
If you have tried these and nothing has worked, or if the suggestion is to contact your hearing aid provider please contact us to book an appointment.
We run a booked repair service. Please do not arrive at the department without an appointment
There is no sound from the hearing aid
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
|
The BCHI is switched off |
Close the battery drawer to switch it on |
|
Dead battery |
Replace the battery |
|
The battery is in upside down |
Turn the battery around and try again |
|
The battery drawer is not closed fully |
Check the battery is in correctly |
|
The sticker is still on the battery |
Take the sticker off |
|
The wrong program has been accidentally activated or the volume reduced |
Switch the BCHI off and back on to restart the hearing device |
|
Is there a battery in the hearing device |
Put a battery in |
The hearing device is not loud enough
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
|
The volume on the BCHI is too low |
Increase the volume on your hearing device, if there is no improvement consult your audiology provider |
|
Hearing had changed |
Speak to your hearing aid provider |
Whistling or feedback
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
|
The connection to the abutment is loose |
Speak to your hearing device provider |
|
Faulty hearing device |
Speak to your hearing device provider |
Distortion or lacking clarity
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
|
Hearing device is not optimally set |
Speak to your hearing device provider |
|
Hearing has changed |
Speak to your hearing device provider |
|
Faulty hearing device |
Speak to your hearing device provider |
Issues with the abutment
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
|
Itching and sore |
Contact the hearing device provider or specialist nurse for advice |
|
Blood/skin overgrowth |
Contact the hearing device provider or specialist nurse for advice |
Care and maintenance
BCHI
Please keep away from animals and children, it is very expensive, and the batteries can be dangerous.
Please keep away from water, rain is usually ok but no swimming pools or showers.
Abutment
If possible, please have a significant other check it occasionally to make sure the area looks healthy. If you have any concerns, please contact the BCHI team for support and advice.
For most people cleaning the abutment happens at the same time you wash your hair and nothing extra needs to be done.
For some people, a little more care is needed, this will be discussed with you if it needs to considered.
Communication tactics
| What you can do | What others can do |
|---|---|
|
Get people to look at you and make sure you can see their face clearly |
Face the person so they can see your face clearly – this can help follow the conversation |
|
Get them to get your attention first |
Get their attention first |
|
Ask them to talk normally and not exaggerate or shout |
Talk normally, don’t exaggerate or shout as this changes the shape of your mouth and can stop any lip reading |
|
If you can’t hear what they have said ask them to repeat it using different words |
Don’t get upset if you need to repeat yourself |
|
|
Remove as much background noise as you can |
Lost BCHI
The hearing device remains the property of the NHS.
There is a potential charge for lost hearing devices. If your hearing device is lost, please contact us.
- audiology@uhb.nhs.uk
- 0121 371 7104
- 07939 988 871 (SMS text service)
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre
Ground floor
Nuffield House
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
B15 2TH
If we are not able to answer the phone, please leave a message with your details, hospital number (if possible), name and date of birth.
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026