Auditory device with vibrating external actuator compatible with bilateral operation

A method comprising:

• placing an external device at a first side of a recipient's skull with a surface of the external device facing the recipient's skull;
• removing the external device from the first side of the recipient's skull;
• and
• placing the external device at a second side of the recipient's skull with the surface of the external device facing the recipient's skull, the second side substantially opposite to the first side.

An apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to be positioned between an ear and a skull of a recipient;
• an actuator within the housing, the actuator configured to generate vibrational signals and to transmit the vibrational signals to the skull;
• an elongate signal conduit in operative communication with and extending from the housing;
• and
• a microphone in operative communication with a portion of the conduit spaced from the housing, the microphone configured to be positioned within a recess of a pinna of the ear.