Passive Middle Ear Implants (PMEI) are used to replace or bridge damaged or non-functioning parts of the middle ear ossicular chain (the tiny bones in the middle ear). They do not have external components or electronics.

PMEIs are used to treat conductive hearing loss.

Examples include prosthetics that replace part of the ossicular chain (the tiny bones in the middle ear) that are not working properly.

Active Middle Ear Implants (AMEIs) are designed to improve hearing by directly stimulating the structures of the middle ear. These implants include electronic components.

Certain AMEIs are suitable for sensorineural hearing loss, while others address mixed or conductive hearing loss.

Some are fully implanted, whereas others are only partially implanted.

Additionally, some have MRI conditional approval for MRI use, while others are not suitable for any significant level of MRI testing. 

The Esteem® implant is an active middle ear implant (AMEI) and is designed for adults with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss.

It is the only FDA-approved fully* implanted active middle ear implant (FI-AMEI).