Full-time Hearing Using Your Own Ear:

The Esteem® fully implanted active middle ear implant (FI -AMEI) works with the ear’s natural anatomy. It is FDA‑approved for adults with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss.

Are you a candidate for the Esteem implant?

Esteem top of page

No External components worn on the ear
The Esteem System is fully implanted, with no devices worn in or on the ear as part of everyday use.
Nature’s Microphone™ Technology
An implanted piezoelectric sensor—powered by Nature’s Microphone™ Technology—uses the ear’s natural anatomy to detect eardrum vibrations instead of relying on external microphones.
Everyday Simplicity

No daily cleaning, charging, or adjusting required.
24/7 Continuous Hearing
A fully implanted system designed for use across day-to-day activities without routine handling or device placement. This may be especially helpful for individuals who live alone or support others in caregiving roles.
Long Battery Life *
The implanted battery is designed to last for years*
Battery life varies based on individual use and programming.
Waterproof Design**
The implanted components are waterproof up to 33 feet**, allowing use during activities such as showering, swimming, or exercising.
The external Personal Programmer is not waterproof.

.*The battery life may be reduced to 2.8 years if continually exposed to very loud sound levels using the highest gain settings. **The Esteem implant is waterproof to a depth of 33 feet, the External Personal Programmer is not waterproof.

The Esteem Implant

The Esteem implant is a fully implanted hearing option that works with the ear's natural anatomy. Because it uses the eardrum as part of its sensing pathway, the ear canal remains open, contributing to what we call the Invisible Hearing® Experience - a hearing connection without external ear-level devices.

®

How It Works

1. Esteem Sensor - Powered by Nature's Microphone^TM Technology

The implanted Sensor detects eardrum vibrations using a piezoelectric mechanism and converts them into electrical signals.

2. Esteem Sound Process

The Sound Processor receives and adjusts the signals according to the individual's programmed hearing settings.

3. Esteem Driver

The Driver delivers mechanical vibrations to the inner ear, where the cochlea converts them into sound sensations.

The Invisible Hearing® Experience

Esteem is a fully implanted treatment option for moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss that is designed to provide true 24/7 hearing with no external components worn in or behind the ear during everyday use.

An external Esteem Personal Programmer allows your hearing care professional to adjust settings for your specific listening needs and environments (not shown). Once the Esteem system is activated and optimized, the Personal Programmer is not required for routine, day-to-day hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Esteem device is implanted during surgery that takes, on average, 3-4 hours. The two transducers are implanted in the middle ear. The Sensor is attached to the incus, and the Driver is attached to the stapes bone in the ossicular chain. The Sound Processor is implanted behind the outer ear in the temporal bone under the skin. The surgical procedure takes place under general anesthesia and is typically outpatient.

Yes. The Esteem battery and software are housed together in the Sound Processor piece which sits in the temporal bone. The battery lasts an average of five years. *battery life may be reduced to 2.8 years if continually exposed to very loud sound levels using the highest gain settings.

After a healing period determined by your surgeon, typically eight weeks, you will return to the surgical center for a follow-up appointment. Your audiologist will activate or turn on your Esteem implant and program it to your preferences, customizing three different programs that you can switch between with your own personal programmer.

When the battery begins to deplete you will notice the confirmation tone changing from a single tone to a dual tone when changing programs with your programmer. Also, the Esteem low battery LED light on the lower right of the programmer will illuminate. When this happens, you will contact Envoy Customer Service and we will assist you in locating the closest surgical site to schedule a battery replacement procedure.

The Esteem software and battery are housed together in the Sound Processor piece which sits in the temporal bone. A battery replacement requires removing the Sound Processor piece and replacing it with a new one. The procedure is typically an outpatient procedure that takes place under local or general anesthesia depending on the surgeon’s preference. The procedure typically takes about an hour and afterward, the device is typically turned on right away.

Getting the Esteem implant

What do patients say?

Andrea

"After I got the [Esteem] implant, my life completely changed. I was finding myself going out in public more often, becoming much more social."

Andrea*

From Mom to Mrs. Nebraska
Implantee for 18 years

Bryan*

"It's very difficult to swim with 5,000 other people and not be able to hear!"

Bryan

Business Director, Tri-athlete, Father of Two, California
Implantee for 18 Years

Amy**

“It’s changed how I interact with my kids, my community and really how I feel about myself, immensely. I feel like I have a new lease on life with this [the Esteem] device and I really, truly feel like I can do anything I want to do.”

amy-bfc-5-b-56-c-128-c-16-bc-17076-b-30716566-b-5-png-1

Amy**

Mother of two Joins Envoy Medical
Bilateral implanted - Left: 18 years, Right: 14 years

*The information presented or discussed is for general information purposes and may not be representative of all patient outcomes. It is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted to contain treatment recommendations. Each person’s situation is unique, and risks, outcomes, experience, and results may vary. Talk to your healthcare professional about which product or treatment may be right for you. Please see complete product instructions for use, including all product indications, contraindications, precautions, warnings, and adverse events. Please view important safety information www.envoymedical.com/safety-information. These individuals received the product through participation in a clinical trial and sharing their stories.

**Amy is an employee of Envoy Medical.

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