Ultraminiature Tantalum Capacitors

Aid Hearing Device

The Vibrant Soundbridge is an Implantable Middle Ear Hearing Device (IMEHD) manufactured by Symphonix Devices, Inc., San Jose, CA. Designed to treat the most common form of hearing impairment -- moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss that occurs when the hair cells or nerves in the inner ear become damaged, often because of exposure to loud sounds, genetic factors or the natural aging process -- the device is unlike a conventional hearing aid.

Rather, to stimulate the tiny bones in the middle ear, the Soundbridge converts sound into mechanical energy that is directly transferred to the auditory ossicles. It consists of two major components: 1) the implant, called the Vibrating Ossicular Prosthesis, and 2) the external amplification system, called the Audio Processor. Its design combats problems commonly associated with acoustic hearing aids such as poor sound quality, feedback, background noise and discomfort.

AVX Corp., Myrtle Beach, SC, played a major role in helping design the device, supplying Symphonix engineers with several key components, including five TACmicrochips used on the hearing aid's miniaturized circuit board. The TACmicrochip is reportedly the world's smallest surface mount tantalum capacitor, providing the highest bulk energy storage of any 0603-size capacitor and allowing production of miniature circuitry. Recently approved by the FDA, the Soundbridge has the potential to help nearly 28 million people in the U.S. suffering from sensorineural hearing loss. "We are delighted to play a critical role in the production of such a revolutionary implantable hearing device," says Bill Vierow, AVX technical marketing manager. "Knowing that our product can help so many people is very rewarding."

--KC

For more information: Circle 522 - Symphonix Devices or connect directly to their website via the Online Reader Service Program at http://www.OneRS.net/101df-522

Circle 523 - AVX Corp. or connect directly to http://www.OneRS.net/101df-523