The present invention provides a hearing assistance system having an electronic unit that is remotely situated from the ear (200). An electromagnetic input transducer (210) is disposed within the middle ear (35) region of the right ear (200). The transducer (210) is mechanically coupled to the tympanic membrane (30), malleus (40), incus (45) or other auditory element so as to receive mechanical sound vibrations. Electronics unit (225) is remotely disposed from the input transducer (210), and is electrically connected to the input transducer (210) and the output transducer (215). The output transducer (215) is disposed within the middle ear (35) region and is mechanically coupled to an auditory element such as the stapes (50) where it transmits the signal to the cochlea (60).