He studied electrical engineering at Delft University of Technology, writing his dissertation on electromagnetic wave propagation.
He subsequently joined the Royal Netherlands Navy, became an officer, and did sonar research in Italy for six years.
In 1968 Bom started working at the cardiology department of the Erasmus MC and engaged in diagnostic echo research.
Together with the company Organon Teknika his department was also responsible for the development of a portable ultrasound machine in 1976, the Minivisor, which did not become a commercial success.
[3] Bom also served for ten years as (co)-director of the ICIN-KNAW, the predecessor to the Dutch Heart Institute.