What's your review of Cochlear Osia 2 System?

Thanks so much! Gives me a bit more ease

I understand, Paul. When I was weighing options, I found several YouTube videos/vlogs that were created by Baha wearers and their insight was incredibly helpful. When my audiologist suggested the Osia, I wasn't able to find any user/wearer perspectives online (I'm assuming it's because the device was still so new). The best info that I found came from a Tiktok contributor who discussed her surgeries (she is a bilateral Osia wearer) and the device itself. Those videos really helped put my mind at ease. Please ask any questions that you may have; I understand how you feel.

I am being considered for a cochlear implant - they are trying the Phonak Paradise but I'm getting so much background noise with it that I am having problems hearing people speaking. Had an aid for 5 years. Left ear always had problems with dermatitis and now having it in both ears (right ear always gets a lot of wax build up). Have a weird question - what happens to your hair where the implant is? Can you cover everything up and still hear? Doctor is talking about one implant and and aid. I have basically flat line severe loss - age 81. One son is very nervous about it but supportive.

My surgery is coming up on Friday…another question if you don’t mind. Can you actually feel the implant? Curious if it’s something you can feel through the scalp, or if you are sleeping on that side whether it’s uncomfortable. Thanks!

I can feel a lump in my scalp where the bottom part (the transducer/vibrating part is). I can vaguely make out the shape of the magnetic pad part.
I don’t sleep on that side, but have laid on that side a few times without issue. I sleep on my other side and on my back so I have no issues with that.
Best of luck with your surgery! You’re going to be so happy that you did it! Keep us posted and let me know if you have any questions. Aside from the aching/muscle soreness, the worst part of post-op is wearing the thing around your head for the first 24 hours. It’s tight and really becomes uncomfortable. So just keep in mind that that irritation will be over in a day. I bought a foam wedge to keep my torso and head elevated for the first few days, which was really helpful.

I had the Osia 2 implant in July. The outline of the implant is very distinct in my scalp, but I do sleep on that side occasionally. I did not sleep on that side for the first month just as a precaution on my part. I wanted to make sure it had a good start toward healing. My scalp in that area was numb for a couple of months, but the feeling is almost completely restored now and continues to improve over time. I love my Osia, and would recommend it for anyone who meets the criteria for an Osia.

Paul-- Here's are a few of my post-op photos. The white compression band/cap became a bit painful over the 24 hours that it had to be worn (my face is blocked because I didn't look so great after surgery). The second photo is of the post-op wound (a lot of swelling, which dissipates with time as @lmayo said). The final photo shows the wound as it was still healing, when there was less swelling. The lumpier area is the bottom area, closest to the incision.

Hi Stephanie, you've been very helpful so far. I'm a candidate and im considering the Osia bone conducting surgery. I have SSHL since Dec 2019 and being in a group at a restaurant or at work (noisy hair salon) are so frustrating. even being passenger in the car (my left ear has no hearing), I can't have a conversation with the driver without turning my neck so much that im sore the next day.
anyways, your scar looks a bit intimidating on the first picture of course but already much better just a few weeks in. im assuming once the hair grows back, nobody can tell anymore. is the scar actually outside of your hairline? it looks very close. wonder if they can go a tiny bit in further so the scar won't show when you're wearing your hair in a high ponytail per say.

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind....
does it not feel overwhelming, specially in a louder setting to have all sound going into one ear?
does the microphone still work as good when the device is covered by hair?

Thanks, @tinytoon31! Here are some current shots of my scar, which is pretty minimal/inconspicuous. You should discuss your scar concerns with your surgeon; they might be able to put it in your hairline.

Hearing with the Osia has never become overwhelming to me. It truly sounds natural and just like I'm hearing through my ear. The only times the volume has bothered me were when I allowed the device to stream phone calls to my device (I would randomly have a phone trill in my head when someone called. I've turned that feature off.) and when I've been streaming audio (music, videos, or audiobook) directly to the device when the volume was up too loud (I turned my phone's volume down to correct this.)

When I have my hair down, it covers my device. It hasn't seemed to affect the microphones at all. The only microphone issues have been wind and remembering to cover/protect the processor when it's raining (I guess that's not really a mic issue though).

Feel free to ask any additional questions you may have. I've been there, so I'm happy to help! 🙂

Thank you for sharing your story. It's fascinating to read about technology that wasn't even dreamed about when I was diagnosed with progressive sensorineural hearing loss in the '60s. I was told that nothing would ever change in my lifetime to help me remain in the hearing world. I was in my 20s then. I got a CI in my mid 60s and it has been a miracle. Things keep getting better. I LOVE to hear, and am so thankful!!