Active transcutaneous bone conduction implant: audiological results in paediatric patients with bilateral microtia associated with external auditory canal atresia

Objective: To describe, in terms of functional gain and word recognition, the audiological results of patients under 18 years of age implanted with the active bone conduction implant, Bonebridge?. Design: Retrospective case studies conducted by reviewing the medical records of patients receiving implants between 2014 and 2016 in the public health sector in Chile. Study sample: All patients implanted with the Bonebridge were included (N?=?15). Individuals who had bilateral conductive hearing loss, secondary to external ear malformations, were considered as candidates. Results: The average hearing threshold one month after switch on was 25.2?dB (95%CI 23.5–26.9). Hearing thresholds between 0.5 and 4?kHz were better when compared with bone conduction hearing aids. Best performance was observed at 4?kHz, where improvements to hearing were observed throughout the adaptation process. There was evidence of a significant increase in the recognition of monosyllables. Conclusions: The Bonebridge implant showed improvements to hearing thresholds and word recognition in paediatric patients with congenital conductive hearing loss.     

索菲康骨导助听器助听效果的多中心研究

目的 评估软带或头带佩戴新型经皮传导索菲康骨导助听器对传导性聋或混合性聋、单侧聋患者的助听效果.方法 以来自国内4家三级甲等医院的109例传导性或混合性聋患者及11例单侧聋(single-sided deafness,SSD)患者为研究对象,均以纯音测听(≥6岁患者)或听性脑干反应(ABR)(<6岁患者)评估裸耳听阈后予以头带或软带佩戴索菲康Alpha 2 MPO骨导助听器;并在声场下进行未助听、佩戴当日及佩戴2周后的助听听阈(0.5~4 kHz)测试;≥6岁患者进行未助听、佩戴当日及佩戴2周助听下的言语识别阈(speech recognition threshold, SRT)测试,并记录患者佩戴后的不良反应.结果 传导性或混合性聋患者中≥6岁患者助听耳裸耳骨导及气导平均听阈均值分别为18.55±8.99、71.45±10.25 dB HL,<6岁组助听耳裸耳骨导及气导ABR阈值均值分别为18.33±8.36、70.80±8.24 dB HL;SSD患者助听耳裸耳听阈不能测出;佩戴2周后,三组助听后纯音听阈均值分别为32.21±10.00、37.33±14.15、34.38±10.76 dB HL,较未助听时明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);≥6岁传导性或混合性聋组和SSD组患者佩戴2周后助听下各方向SRT较未助听时均显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);各组患者均无与佩戴助听器相关的不良皮肤反应等.结论 使用软带、头带佩戴索菲康骨导助听器,可有效改善传导性或混合性聋、SSD患者听阈和安静环境下言语识别阈.     

Retrospective audiological analysis of bone conduction versus round window vibratory stimulation in patients with mixed hearing loss

Objective: To compare audiological outcomes in mild-to-moderate mixed hearing loss patients treated with a bone-anchored hearing aid or an active middle-ear implant. Analysis aimed to refine criteria used in preoperative selection of implant type. Design: Retrospective comparative analysis of audiological data. Follow-up time ranged between 0.55 and 8.8 years. Study sample: For detailed comparative analysis, 12 patients (six in each group) with comparable bone conduction thresholds and similar clinical characteristics were selected. A larger cohort of 48 patient files were used to evaluate overall audiological indication criteria (24 per group). Results: In free-field tone audiometry, Baha patients showed mean aided thresholds between 40–48 dB, whereas hearing thresholds for VSB patients were 25–43 dB. Baha and VSB users had mean WRS of 56% and 82%, respectively, at 65 dB. Better speech understanding in noise was seen with the VSB. Conclusion: Analysis of the main cohort (n = 48) showed that treatment with round window vibroplasty leads to better hearing performance than treatment with a bone-anchored hearing device, if the bone conduction pure-tone average (0.5 to 4 kHz) is poorer than 35 dB HL. Audiological analysis in the smaller comparative analysis showed similar findings.     

Retrosigmoid implantation of an active bone conduction stimulator in a patient with chronic otitis media

Percutaneous bone conduction implants are widely used in patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss with no benefit from conventional air conduction hearing aids. These devices have several complications including skin reaction, wound infection, growth of skin over the abutment, and implant extrusion. We describe a case of a transcutaneous bone conduction implantation (Bonebridge, Med-el) in a patient with conductive hearing loss due to chronic otitis media. Surgical planification was performed with the software 3D slicer 4.1. According to this program, the implant transductor was positioned in the retrosigmoid area. Aided thresholds demonstrate a significant benefit, with an improvement from 68 dB to 25 dB. Speech discrimination scores improved 35 dB. The patient is very happy and uses her device daily. The Bonebridge implant is a promising transcutaneous bone conduction implant for patients with conductive hearing loss. Retrosigmoid implantation may be useful in cases with mastoid pathology or previous surgery.     

Audiological and subjective outcomes of 100 implanted transcutaneous bone conduction devices and preoperative bone conduction hearing aids in patients with bilateral microtia-atresia

Abstract

Background: Bonebridge (BB) and bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA) are effective in patients with bilateral congenital microtia-atresia (CMA).

Objectives: To investigate and compare the outcomes of these devices in a large sample size.

Materials and methods: This single center prospective study involved 100 patients with bilateral CMA who were implanted with BBs and used BCHAs before implantation. Sound field threshold (SFT), speech reception thresholds (SRTs) and word recognition scores (WRSs) were compared between unaided, BCHA used and implanted patients. The Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) was used to evaluate subjective satisfaction.

Results: Compared to unaided condition, the SFT, WRS and SRT of BCHA and BB were significantly improved. With BCHA or BB, the three subscale scores of the APHAB (ease of communication, background noise and reverberation) significantly reduced. However, the aversiveness subscale scored significantly higher than unaided condition. All outcomes were better in BB condition than BCHA.

Conclusions: BB or BCHA use can be considered as effective methods to improve audiological outcomes and subjective satisfaction. Although not as good as BB, BCHA use is critical for improving hearing in the early period of language and auditory pathway development before the skull is suitable for BB implantation.     

Comparative outcomes of active and passive hearing devices by transcutaneous bone conduction

Conclusion Bonebridge (BB) and Sophono (SP) devices improved hearing; with the BB implant showing a better performance at medium and high frequencies. Furthermore, the BB, as an active implant, showed higher functional gain and increased time of use, when compared to the SP, a passive system. Objectives This study aims to compare surgical and audiological outcomes of SP and BB devices in order to assess and further differentiate the indication criteria. Methods Fourteen patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss were evaluated pre- and post-operatively (BB or SP) (period 2013–2014). Age, gender, surgical history, cause and type of hearing loss, implant use per day, levels of bone and air conduction, and functional gain were recorded. Data was analysed by Wilcoxon singed-rank and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results Fourteen patients (BB; n?=?10 and SP; n?=?4) with an average age?=?25.42 years (CI95?=?12.41–38.43) were evaluated. The gender relation was equal (1:1), with pre-implantation osseous thresholds of 20.42?dB (CI95?=?11.15–29.69), and pre-implantation aerial thresholds of 70.83?dB (CI95?=?62.52–79.14). The SP wearing time was significantly lower than that of the BB (SP?=?7–10?h/day, BB?=?8–12?h/day; p?=?0.0323). The functional gain did not differ significantly between the two devices (BB?=?40.00?±?13.19?dB, SP?=?34.06?±?15.63?dB; p?=?0.3434), but a significant improvement from pre- to post-implantation was observed (p?p?=?0.0140) and 4?kHz (p?相似文献   

Bone conductive implants in single-sided deafness

Conclusion: Bone conduction implants (BCIs) have been shown to partially restore some of the functions lost when binaural hearing is missing, such as in subjects with single-sided deafness (SSD). The use of a single BCI needs to be recommended by a clinician based on thorough counselling with the SSD subject. Objectives: To perform an overview of the present capabilities of BCIs for SSD and to evaluate the reliability of the audiological evaluation for assessing speech recognition in noise and sound localization cues, which are major problems related to the loss of binaural hearing. Methods: Nine subjects with SSD who received BCI implants underwent a preoperative audiological evaluation that included sound field speech audiometry, word recognition score (WRS) testing and sound localization testing in quiet and in noise. They were also tested for the accuracy of their directional word recognition in noise and their subjective perceptions of their hearing difficulties using the APHAB questionnaire. Results: The mean maximum accuracy of word discrimination was 65.5% in the unaided condition and 78.9% in the BCI-aided condition. Sound localization in noise was better with the BCI than in the unaided condition, especially when the stimulus and noise were presented on the same side as the implanted ear. The accuracy of directional word recognition showed an improvement with the BCI with respect to the unaided condition on the BCI side, with either the stimulus in the implanted ear and the noise in the contralateral ear or with both the stimulus and noise presented to the implanted ear.     

Phase III results with a totally implantable piezoelectric middle ear implant: Speech audiometry,spatial hearing and psychosocial adjustment

Objective To evaluate the treatment efficacy of an electromechanical middle ear amplifier implant (AI) in patients with chronic moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The AI is a piezoelectric system with a sound processor and a rechargeable battery within a hermetically sealed titanium canister. Its titanium-sealed microphone is placed in the bony region of the ear canal. The incus-coupled transducer (actuator), which is also inside a titanium casing, is fastened to the adjacent bone.

Material and Methods This was a phase III study comprising 20 intention-to-treat patients. Telemetrical adjustments followed electromechanical amplifier implantations. We used a word recognition test as our primary efficacy measure (Freiburg Speech Recognition Test; DIN 45621). Secondary efficacy measures were the sentence comprehension test (Goettinger Satztest, 1996) for auditory orientation within noisy and quiet environments and a psychosocial adjustment test (Gothenburg Profile Test, 1998). The 6-month follow-up comprised a complete medical examination. Nineteen patients completed the study (per-protocol patients; 100% reference).

Results Seventeen patients (89%) demonstrated improved binaural recognition of phonetically balanced monosyllables. Fourteen postoperative patients (74%) attained a perfect score (100%) on this test, compared to only 3 preoperative patients (16%). Thirteen patients (68%) reached the sentence recognition threshold at a 2:1 dB signal-to-noise ratio during noisy trials. Correct identification of the noise source direction in the horizontal plane occurred in 89% of the trials. The Gothenburg Profile Test scores showed that the subjective evaluation of hearing, orientation, social behavior and self-confidence increased from 48% to 88%. Three patients did not benefit from the implant.

Conclusion Treatment of SNHL with a totally implantable hearing system can be an efficient method for those patients unable to wear hearing aids. However, in order to avoid implantation in non-responders, there is a need for more specific audiological indication criteria.     

Transcutaneous bone conductive implants in patients with conductive/mixed hearing loss: audiological outcomes in noise condition

Background: Recently, the use of transcutaneous bone conduction implants (BCIs) has been increased. However, scarce data about BCI hearing recovery in noise conditions have been reported.

Objectives: To investigate the audiological benefits obtained with transcutaneous BCI-Sophono Alpha System in noise conditions. To evaluate post-implantation clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction levels.

Materials and methods: Fourteen patients suffering from conductive or mixed hearing loss implanted with the Sophono Alpha System were evaluated. Patients underwent physical examination, free-field pure-tone and speech audiometry both in unaided and aided conditions. The matrix sentence test was employed with fixed noise at 65?dB, and with a fluctuating primary signal, in three different conditions of noise presentations (S0/N0, S0/Ncontra, S0/Nipsi).

Results: Hearing gain, expressed as the difference between pre-implant AC and post-implant SAS free field, was on average 26.7?dB. The unaided speech recognition score in quiet conditions had a mean value of 64.6%, and improved after SAS implantation, achieving mean values of 98.2%. SRT₅₀ with the matrix sentence test improved in all three conditions of noise presentation.

Conclusions: Sophono Alpha System devices represent a valid treatment option for hearing rehabilitation of patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss. The audiological results regarding hearing gain in noise conditions were good.     

Stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty – A novel surgical solution of advanced otosclerosis and its place among existing therapeutic modalities – Hungarian single institutional experiences

ObjectiveTo delineate the advantages and steps of stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty, to assess the safety and efficacy of this method via the authors’ experiences, and to overview the literature regarding other surgical options in advanced otosclerosis determining the place of stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty in the therapeutic range.MethodsFour patients were enrolled in the study presenting severe mixed hearing loss of at least one side on pure tone audiometry. Based on complementary audiological examinations including stapedial reflex test and multifrequency tympanometry, all cases were suspected as advanced otosclerosis. Stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty – the combination of laser stapedotomy and simultaneous Vibrant Soundbridge implantation – was performed in each patient. Preoperative pure tone average, speech recognition thresholds and word recognition scores were compared to one-year postoperative free-field values with the implant switched on focusing on functional gain.ResultsAmong 4 participants (3 females, 1 male) the mean age (SD) was 66 years (35). In three cases Nitinol, in one case NitiBond piston was inserted. One-year postoperative free-field functional gains were 30 dB, 34 dB, 42 dB and 51 dB, respectively. One-year postoperative free-field speech recognition thresholds were 45 dB, 45 dB, 49 dB and 50 dB, respectively, while word recognition scores were 70%, 70%, 70% and 75%, respectively.ConclusionPostoperative results in our serie regarding pure tone average and word recognition score proved to be better than those found in the literature. Stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty – through sufficient air-bone gap closure and simultaneous sensorineural component management – seems to be a promising surgical solution in advanced otosclerosis, requiring further investigation.     

外中耳畸形患者骨桥植入效果分析

目的分析6例外中耳畸形患者植入骨桥后的听觉及言语识别能力,探讨骨桥植入的适应症及效果。方法对6例外中耳畸形患者骨桥植入术前及术后开机时进行纯音测听和言语测听,比较植入前后听阈及安静时声强65 dB SPL下的单音节、双音节、语句的言语识别率。结果 6例患者术后助听听阈及言语识别阈较术前裸耳均明显改善,助听听阈平均改善43.2±11.1 dB;言语识别阈平均改善38.8±7.7 dB,中高频相对低频补偿的更多;言语识别率亦较术前明显提升,单音节言语识别率平均提高63.33%±22.51%,双音节言语识别率平均提高77.83%±28.92%,语句言语识别率平均提高78.33%±17.08%。结论骨桥植入可以改善传导性和混合性听力损失患者的听觉言语能力,为外中耳畸形及听骨链畸形伴传导性或混合性听力损失患者的有效听觉补偿方法。     

Amplification of transcutaneous and percutaneous bone-conduction devices with a test-band in an induced model of conductive hearing loss

Objective: Transcutaneous devices have a disadvantage, the dampening effect by soft tissue between the bone and devices. We investigated hearing outcomes with percutaneous and transcutaneous devices using test-bands in an induced unilateral conductive hearing loss. Design: Comparison of hearing outcomes of two devices in the same individuals. Study sample: The right ear was plugged in 30 subjects and a test-band with devices (Cochlear? Baha® BP110 Power and Sophono® Alpha-2 MPO?) was applied on the right mastoid tip with the left ear masked. Sound-field thresholds, speech recognition thresholds (SRTs), and word recognition scores (WRSs) were compared. Results: Aided thresholds of Sophono were significantly better than those of Baha at most frequencies. Sophono WRSs (86?±?12%) at 40?dB SPL and SRTs (14?±?5?dB HL) were significantly better than those (73?±?24% and 23?±?8?dB HL) of Baha. However, Sophono WRSs (98?±?3%) at 60?dB SPL did not differ from Baha WRSs (95?±?12%). Conclusion: Amplifications of the current transcutaneous device were not inferior to those of percutaneous devices with a test-band in subjects with normal bone-conduction thresholds. Since the percutaneous devices can increase the gain when fixed to the skull by eliminating the dampening effect, both devices are expected to provide sufficient hearing amplification.     

The evaluation of a surgery and the short-term benefits of a new active bone conduction hearing implant - the Osia®

IntroductionModern medicine offers a wide spectrum of different hearing devices, and bone conduction implants can be found among them.ObjectiveThe presentation of the outcomes of the implantation of a new active bone conduction hearing implant – the Osia®, and its comparison with the well-known passive transcutaneous system – the Baha® Attract.MethodsEight adult patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 was implanted with the Osia®, and group 2 was implanted with the Baha® Attract. The details of the surgery were analyzed, along with the functional and audiological results.ResultsIn all the cases, the surgery was successful, and the healing uneventful. In both groups, it was observed that pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry in free field improved significantly after the implantation (mean gain in pure tone audiometry for the Osia group 42.8 dB SPL and for the Baha group 38.8 dB SPL). In the Osia group, the results after the surgery were much better than with the Baha® 5 Power processor on the Softband. The patients implanted with the Osia® evaluated the quality of their hearing as being superior to those implanted with the Baha® Attract. There was an evident improvement in the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit questionnaire and in the speech, spatial and qualities of hearing scale for both systems. In the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit, changes were more evident in the Osia group (in global score 49% vs. 37.2%).ConclusionImplantation of the Osia® is an effective treatment option for the patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss. The surgery is safe but more complex and time-consuming than the Baha® Attract implantation. The preliminary audiological results as well as the overall quality of life indicate that the Osia® is a better solution than the Baha® Attract. However, future studies should be carried out to make further observations in a larger group of patients, and with longer follow-up.     

Fitting range of the BAHA Cordelle

The performance of the most powerful Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) currently available, the BAHA Cordelle, was evaluated in 25 patients with severe to profound mixed hearing loss. Patients showed bone conduction thresholds at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz, ranged between 30?and 70 dB HL, and an additional air-bone gap of about at least 30?dB. With the BAHA Cordelle, free-field thresholds improve relative to bone-conduction thresholds with 1.5, 5.0, 17.8, and 4.3 dB at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, respectively, with substantial inter-individual variability. The differences in unaided air conduction thresholds and aided free-field thresholds amount to 45.3, 45.8, 47.5, and 43.5 dB at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, respectively. Speech perception, measured both with monosyllables of the consonant-vowel-consonant type and with bisyllables, showed highly similar results. The fitting range of a (linear) hearing aid is determined by its gain characteristics. Requiring aided speech reception thresholds at or better than 65 dB SPL results in an upper limit of the fitting range of the BAHA Cordelle for bone-conduction thresholds of 51, 56, 67, and 58 dB HL at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, respectively. The dynamic range provided by the BAHA Cordelle was estimated from loudness growth functions at 500, 1500, and 3000 Hz employing 7-point categorical scaling. On average, aided loudness growth functions exhibit normal slopes but they level off at input levels of about 80, 70, 65 dB SPL for 500, 1500, and 3000 Hz stimuli, respectively. Measurements with a skull simulator demonstrated that the levelling-off reflects saturation of the output of the Cordelle. The relatively low saturation levels of the device suggest that increasing maximum output levels may be a worthwhile consideration for candidates with more profound sensorineural loss.     

Results of ossicular chain reconstruction with glass ionomer cement in pediatric patients

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to analyze the hearing results of ossicular chain reconstruction in incus long process defects in pediatric patients.MethodsThis retrospective study included 15 pediatric patients that had incus long process defect due to chronic otitis media or adhesive otitis, and repaired with glass ionomer cement between 2009 and 2015. The audiological tests (air conduction thresholds, bone conduction thresholds, air bone gap) obtained preoperatively and one year after surgery were compared. In addition, preoperative and postoperative air bone gap differences were estimated to determine hearing gain.ResultsMean air conduction and air bone gaps decreased significantly one year after surgery when compared to the preoperative values (p< 0.001 for both). Mean hearing gain was 20.33 ± 6.36 dB one year after surgery.ConclusionUse of glass ionomer cement to repair incus long process defects is a suitable method that improves hearing in pediatric patients. Further large studies that compare glass ionomer cement ossiculoplasty with other ossicular reconstruction methods are needed.     

Implantation of two generations of Bonebridge after mastoid obliteration with bioactive glass S53P4

PurposeAfter radical surgery for chronic cholesteatoma (CWD mastoidectomy), patients have the option to have the posterior wall of their external auditory canal surgically reconstructed with S53P4 bioactive glass. The procedure eliminates some of the restrictions related to having a postoperative cavity and extends the options for a hearing prosthesis. If classic reconstruction is not possible and a hearing aid is not used, we suggest use of a Bonebridge implant.MethodsThis study describes, over 18 months of follow-up, 16 patients after a two-stage surgical procedure: obliteration of the mastoid cavity with bioactive glass followed by Bonebridge implantation. There were 7 patients who received the first generation implant (BCI 601) and 9 who used the second (BCI 602). Before and after implantation, pure tone audiometry, sound field thresholds, and free-field audiometry were performed. Speech reception thresholds in noise were assessed using the Polish Sentence Matrix Test. Subjective assessment of benefits was done using the APHAB (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit) questionnaire.ResultsDuring the observation period, no serious complications were found. The study demonstrated the safety and validity of the procedures and confirmed the safety of using S53P4 bioactive glass in otosurgery (antibacterial effect, nonrecurrence of cholesteatoma, and no effect on the inner ear). The audiological benefits expected from using the Bonebridge implant processor were also confirmed.ConclusionIt is concluded that, after reconstructing the posterior wall of the external auditory canal with bioactive glass, two-stage implantation of a Bonebridge implant in a typical site is a safe solution for patients who have difficult anatomical conditions following their CWD mastoidectomy.     

Audiological evaluation and self-assessed hearing problems in subjects with single-sided congenital external ear malformations and associated conductive hearing loss

Previously, unilateral hearing impairment (UHI) has been considered of little consequence. However, a recent meta-analysis of children with UHI displayed educational and behavioural problems and possible delays of speech and language development. Further, patients with UHI consequently report hearing difficulties. Our study investigated hearing function, possible inner ear protection, and self-assessed hearing problems in 57 subjects aged between 3–80 years with single-sided congenital ear malformations and conductive UHI. Pure-tone thresholds and speech recognition (quiet, noise) were measured, and all patients completed a self-assessment questionnaire. Pure-tone thresholds corresponding to sensorineural function did not significantly differ between the normal (air conduction) and affected ear (bone conduction). However, speech recognition in both quiet and in noise was normal on the non-affected side but significantly worse on the malformed side. A moderate to high degree of self-assessed hearing problems were reported. In conclusion, hearing function in the affected ear was found to be subnormal in terms of supra threshold signal processing. Furthermore, a high degree of hearing difficulty was reported. Therefore, active treatment, surgery, or hearing amplification, might be considered.     

Análisis de la potencia de salida y del rendimiento auditivo de los dispositivos auditivos osteointegrados

Background and objectiveOsseointegrated auditory devices are hearing gadgets that use the bone conduction of sound to produce hearing improvement. The mechanisms and factors that contribute to this sound transmission have been widely studied, however, there are other aspects that remain unknown, for instance, the influence of the processor power output. The aim of this study was to know if there is any relationship between the power output created by the devices and the hearing improvement that they achieve.Materials and methodsForty-four patients were implanted with a percutaneous Baha® 5 model. Hearing thresholds in pure tone audiometry, free-field audiometry, and speech recognition (in quiet and in noise) were measured pre and postoperatively in each patient .The direct bone conduction thresholds and the power output values from the processors were also obtained.ResultsThe pure tone average threshold in free field was 39.29 dB (SD 9.15), so that the mean gain was 29.18 dB (SD 10.13) with the device. This involved an air-bone gap closure in 63.64% of patients. The pure tone average threshold in direct bone conduction was 27.6 dB (SD 10.91), which was 8.4 dB better than the pure tone average threshold via bone conduction. The mean gain in speech recognition was 39.15% (SD 23.98) at 40 dB and 36.66% (SD 26.76) at 60 dB. The mean gain in the signal-to-noise ratio was ?5.9 dB (SD 4.32). On the other hand, the mean power output values were 27.95 dB μN (SD 6.51) in G40 and 26.22 dB μN (SD 6.49) in G60. When analysing the relationship between bone conduction thresholds and G40 and G60 values, a correlation from the frequency of 1,000 Hz was observed. However, no statistically significant association between power output, functional gain or speech recognition gain was found.ConclusionsThe osseointegrated auditory devices generate hearing improvement in tonal thresholds and speech recognition, even in noise. Most patients closed the air-bone gap with the device. There is a direct relationship between the bone conduction threshold and the power output values from the processor, but only in mid and high frequencies. However, the relationship between power output and gain in speech recognition is weaker. Further investigation of contributing factors is necessary.     

Bone conductive implantation in asymmetric hearing loss (AHL)

Abstract

Background: Bone conductive implants (BCI) represent one possible solution for rehabilitation of single-sided deafness (SSD).

Aims: The aim of the present study was to verify the efficacy of bone conduction implantation in subjects with unilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss and contralaterally impaired hearing, that is, asymmetric hearing loss (AHL), and to compare it with known BCI indications for SSD.

Material and methods: Twenty-one subjects received BCI for either SSD or AHL. All of the subjects underwent a battery of audiological and subjective tests, Data were collected and statistically evaluated within and between the SSD group and the AHL group.

Results: A PTA threshold gain was observed in AHL patients along with improved values in speech audiometry in quiet and noise. The two visual analogue scale evaluations (QoL and QoS) and the GBI showed significantly better scores in AHL patients compared to SSD patients.

Conclusions: BCI provided improvement for auditory or speech recognition in AHL subjects, as compare to SSD. From these findings, it is possible to predict a positive role of BCI for some audiological aspects of AHL subjects that are generally not present or not detectable in SSD cases.     

Results of the bone-anchored hearing aid in unilateral hearing loss

OBJECTIVES: The advantages of binaural hearing are well established and universally accepted. However, a tendency remains to withhold the benefits of binaural hearing to adults and children with one normal ear. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the benefit of the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) in a group of patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective study of nine patients (five males and four female patients) with conductive or mixed hearing loss who met the criteria for BAHA except for having normal hearing in the other ear. They had congenital aural atresia or mastoidectomies secondary to chronic ear infections with or without cholesteatoma or had a temporal bone tumor excised METHODS: Patients had evaluations before and after implantation, including audiological testing and responses to a standardized hearing handicap questionnaire. Statistical analyses of the data were made using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the paired Student t test for repeated measures. RESULTS: All patients had tonal and spondee threshold improvement with BAHA when compared with thresholds before treatment. Speech recognition performance in BAHA-aided conditions was comparable to the patient's best score in unaided condition. Patients reported a significant improvement in their hearing handicap scores with the BAHA. CONCLUSIONS: The use of BAHA has significantly improved the hearing handicap scores in patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss. The proven safety and efficacy of the device promote its use in unilateral cases that traditionally had been left unaided.