Active Bone Conduction Implant and Adhesive Bone Conduction Device: A Comparison of Audiological Performance and Subjective Satisfaction

Abstract Introduction Atresia of the external auditory canal affects 1 in every 10 thousand to 20 thousand live births, with a much higher prevalence in Latin America, at 5 to 21 out of every 10 thousand newborns. The treatment involves esthetic and functional aspects. Regarding the functional treatment, there are surgical and nonsurgical alternatives like spectacle frames and rigid and softband systems. Active transcutaneous bone conduction implants (BCIs) achieve good sound transmission and directly stimulate the bone. Objective To assess the audiological performance and subjective satisfaction of children implanted with an active transcutaneous BCI for more than one year and to compare the outcomes with a nonsurgical adhesive bone conduction device (aBCD) in the same users. Methods The present is a prospective, multicentric study. The audiological performance was evaluated at 1, 6, and 12 months postactivation, and after a 1-month trial with the nonsurgical device. Results Ten patients completed all tests. The 4-frequency pure-tone average (4PTA) in the unaided condition was of 65 dB HL, which improved significantly to 20 dB HL after using the BCI for 12 months. The speech recognition in quiet in the unaided condition was of 33% on average, which improved significantly, to 99% with the BCI, and to 91% with the aBCD. Conclusion The aBCD demonstrated sufficient hearing improvement and subjective satisfaction; thus, it is a good solution for hearing rehabilitation if surgery is not desired or not possible. If surgery is an option, the BCI is the superior device in terms of hearing outcomes, particularly background noise and subjective satisfaction.

Intervention effects of bone conduction hearing aids in patients with single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

The incidence of single-sided deafness（SSD） is increasing year by year. Due to the hearing defects of one ear, the ability of sound localization, speech recognition in noise, and quality of life of patients with single-sided deafness will be affected to varying degrees. This article reviews the intervention effects of different types of bone conduction hearing aids in patients with single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss, and the differences of intervention effects between bone conduction hearing aids, contralateral routing of signal（CROS） aids, and cochlea implant（CI）, to provide a reference for the auditory intervention and clinical treatment of single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss.

The evaluation of a surgery and the short-term benefits of a new active bone conduction hearing implant - the Osia® / Avaliação da cirurgia e os benefícios a curto prazo de um novo implante auditivo de condução óssea ativa - o sistema Osia®,

Abstract Introduction Modern medicine offers a wide spectrum of different hearing devices, and bone conduction implants can be found among them. Objective The 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. Methods Eight 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. Results In 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%). Conclusion Implantation 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.

Resumo Introdução A medicina moderna oferece um amplo espectro de diferentes aparelhos auditivos, e implantes de condução óssea estão entre eles. Objetivo Apresentação dos resultados do uso de um novo implante auditivo de condução óssea ativa - o Osia® e sua comparação com o conhecido sistema transcutâneo passivo - o sistema Baha® Attract. Método Oito pacientes adultos com perda auditiva mista bilateral foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos. O grupo 1 foi implantado com o Osia® e o grupo 2 foi implantado com o sistema Baha® Attract. Os detalhes da cirurgia foram analisados, juntamente com os resultados funcionais e audiológicos. Resultados Em todos os casos, a cirurgia foi bem-sucedida e a cicatrização ocorreu sem intercorrências. Nos dois grupos, observou-se que a audiometria de tons puros e a audiometria de fala em campo livre melhoraram significativamente após o implante (ganho médio na audiometria para tons puros para o grupo Osia® de 42,8 dB NPS e para o grupo Baha®, 38,8 dB NPS). No grupo Osia®, os resultados após a cirurgia foram muito melhores do que com o processador Baha® 5 Power no sistema SoftBand. Os pacientes implantados com o Osia® avaliaram melhor a qualidade de sua audição do que os implantados com o sistema Baha® Attract. Houve uma melhoria evidente no questionário abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit e na escala speech, spatial and qualities of hearing, para ambos os sistemas. No questionario abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit, as mudanças foram mais evidentes no grupo Osia® (escore global 49% vs. 37,2%). Conclusão O sistema Osia® é uma opção de tratamento eficaz para pacientes com perda auditiva mista bilateral. A cirurgia é segura, mas mais complexa e demorada que a implantação do sistema Baha® Attract. Os resultados audiológicos preliminares, bem como aqueles avaliando a qualidade de vida, indicam que o Osia® é uma alternativa melhor que o Baha® Attract. Entretanto, mais observações são necessárias em grupos maiores de pacientes e com tempo de seguimento mais longo.

Speech Recognition in Noise of the Unilateral Conductive or Mixed Hearing Impaired Patients using Sophonotron Bone Conduction Hearing Aid with Softband / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To investigate the speech recognition in noise in patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing impaired using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband.Methods A total of 12 patients (12 ears) with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss participated in the survey and fitted with Sophonotron Alpha 2.The aided hearing threshold test and speech recognition test in noise were evaluated in both unaided and aided conditions.Results The average aided hearing threshold using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband was 35.0±10.8 dB HL,showing significant improvement compared to that of unaided(P＜0.05).The average signal-to noise ratio loss was 5.9± 6.1 dB using Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband in noise,showing a more significant benefit than that of the unaided (13.6±10.9 dB).Conclusion The Sophonotron Alpha 2 softband can significantly improve speech recognition in noise for the patients with unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Audiological Outcomes of Sophonotron Bone Conduction Hearing Aid from a Multicenter Investigation / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the hearing performance of a new transcutaneous bone conduction hearing aid.Methods One hundred and nine patients with conductive or mix hearing loss and eleven patients with single sided sensorineural hearing loss from four tertiary referral centers were tested under unaided and aided conditions with the sound processors on testbands.Free field test was performed to obtain the hearing thresholds and speech recognition thresholds in quiet.Adverse events were also documented by a self-reported questionnaire.Results ①Conductive or mixed hearing loss patients:for aged≥6 yrs subgroup,the bone conduction PTA average of aided sides was 18.55±8.99 dB HL.For aged<6 yrs subgroup, the bone conduction ABR hearing threshold average was 18.33±8.36 dB HL.②Statistically significant improvements in free field hearing thresholds were seen when compared aided hearing with unaided outcomes.The average PTA (pure tone average in free field) was measured at 32.21±10.00, 37.33±14.15, and 34.38±10.76 dB HL respectively in conductive or mixed hearing loss aged≥6 yrs subgroup;aged<6 yrs subgroup and SSD subgroup.③In aided situations;speech recognition thresholds in quiet were significantly better compared to unaided situation in patients aged≥6yrs.④None of patients presented adverse events related to the devices.Conclusion The Sophono bone conduction hearing aid has satisfactory hearing performance and can be considered an alternative device for patients with conductive or mix hearing loss or with SSD.

Active Bone Conduction Prosthesis: BonebridgeTM

Introduction Bone conduction implants are indicated for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss, as well as for patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). The transcutaneous technology avoids several complications of the percutaneous bone conduction implants including skin reaction, skin growth over the abutment, and wound infection. The Bonebridge (MED-EL, Austria) prosthesis is a semi-implantable hearing system: the BCI (Bone Conduction Implant) is the implantable part that contains the Bone Conduction-Floating Mass Transducer (BC-FMT), which applies the vibrations directly to the bone; the external component is the audio processor Amadé BB (MED-EL, Austria), which digitally processes the sound and sends the information through the coil to the internal part. Bonebridge may be implanted through three different approaches: the transmastoid, the retrosigmoid, or the middle fossa approach. Objective This systematic review aims to describe the world́ s first active bone conduction implant system, Bonebridge, as well as describe the surgical techniques in the three possible approaches, showing results from implant centers in the world in terms of functional gain, speech reception thresholds and word recognition scores. Data Synthesis The authors searched the MEDLINE database using the key term Bonebridge. They selected only five publications to include in this systematic review. The review analyzes 20 patients that received Bonebridge implants with different approaches and pathologies. Conclusion Bonebridge is a solution for patients with conductive/mixed hearing loss and SSD with different surgical approaches, depending on their anatomy. The system imparts fewer complications than percutaneous bone conduction implants and shows proven benefits in speech discrimination and functional gain.(AU)

Hearing Rehabilitation with Sophono(R) in Patients with Unilateral Hearing Loss after Meningioma Removal / 대한이비인후과학회지

Various bone conduction hearing aids have been widely used to improve hearing fuction for the last 30 years. Sophono(R), a newly introduced device without percutaneous abutment, improved disadvantages of previously used bone conduction hearing aids. Recently, we experienced a case of Sophono(R) implantation in a patient presenting with mixed hearing loss followed by tumor surgery. The patient gained air conduction threshold of 60 dB HL compared to preoperative pure tone audiogram and a speech discrimination test in noisy environment showed improved results. Furthermore, the patient has had no cutaneous complications since implantation. The results of this case demonstrate the feasibility of implanting Sophono(R) in patients similar to this case. Considering its advantages of MRI compatibility and non-invasive surgery, as well as esthetical benefit, Sophono(R) implantation could be a preferable option for hearing rehabilitation.

Single Vertical Incision Technique without Skin Thinning for the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Surgery / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: After the bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) surgery, soft tissue problems have frequently been reported. To solve this problem, a surgical procedure that routinely involves so-called skin thinning using BAHA dermatome has been utilized. But, this procedure includes many peri-implant complications and cosmetic trouble. Recently, a single vertical incision technique that does not involve skin thinning has been reported with favorable results. In this study, we evaluated the benefits of performing this procedure without skin thinning compared with the dermatome technique. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We evaluated 10 patients who were operated on without skin thinning using longer (8.5 mm) abutments (the test group) and 5 patients with the routine skin thinning and 5.5-mm abutments (the control group). A mean follow-up time was 11.3 months, the mean age was 34.2 years in the test group, the mean follow-up time was 54.5 months and a mean age is 24.5 years in the control group. RESULTS: The mean time required for surgery was 25 minutes and 55 minutes for the test and control groups, respectively. The wound healing time was 28 days and 56 days for the test and control groups, respectively. Fixture extrusion, skin infection and skin overgrowth were not observed in the test group but fixture extrusion case, two skin infection cases and two skin overgrowth cases were observed in the control group. Two cases of abutment loosening were observed in the test group. CONCLUSION: The single vertical incision technique without skin thinning has many benefits when compared with the BAHA dermatome. With this technique, infection and skin overgrowth could be reduced, and a more rapid procedure and a more short healing time could also be possible. Moreover, the aesthetic outcome was far better when no skin thinning was involved.

Variations of Bone Conduction Hearing in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media after Tympanoplasty / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective The purpose of this paper is to study the variations of the bone conduction hearing in the patients with chronic suppurative otitis media complicated by bone conduction deterioration after tympanoplasty and to analyze the relative factors. Methods In 54 cases (61 ears) of decreased bone conduction thresholds associat-ed with chronic suppurative otitis media, reviewed retrospectively were the data before the operation and during the follow-ups from 3 to 27 months. The bone conduction thresholds at 0. 5,1, 2 and 4 kHz were studied in relation to the courses of disease, the complications of cholesteatoma, the operation procedures and the reconstructions of os-sicular chains before and after surgeries. Results Before operation the most obvious hearing loss of bone conduction was found at 4 kHz in 61 ears, while after operation the average bone conduction hearing at the 4 frequencies was improved at different degrees with the most at 2 k Hz. Thirty-two of 61 cases (52.50%) were found to have their hearing improved at least by more than 10 dE at two frequencies without any deterioration at the 4 frequencies. Con-clusion The factors of the duration of disease and complications of cholesteatoma are obviously not related to the improvement of hearing after operation. A patient with reconstruction of ossicular chain is markedly superior to one without the reconstruction in improvement of hearing. When the auditory ossicular chains and functions of the oval and/or round windows are damaged, the bone conduction hearing can be affected accordingly. However the hearing of some cases will be improved after tympanoplasty. Also, the possible improvement is also related to different sur-geries in treating patients with middle ear infections.

Differences between pre- and post-operative bone conduction threshold changes according to the types of mastoidectomy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There have been many studies about elevated bone conduction (BC) thresholds in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma and the relationships between operative techniques and postoperative changes of BC thresholds. The purposes of this study are evaluation of the effect of chronic otitis media on BC thresholds, the relationships between various operative techniques and postoperative BC threshold changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative BC thresholds in 237 patients with ipsilateral COM were evaluated and pre- and postoperative differences of BC thresholds were compared by each frequency in all patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of diseases: (1) Simple: relatively healthy middle ear mucosa and thus only simple mastoidectomy (SM) was done (N=92), (2) Severe: mastoidectomy with posterior tympanotomy (ICWM) or open cavity mastoidectomy (OCM) were done because of severe edematous middle ear mucosa, granulation tissues, or poor ventilation (N=89), (3) cholesteatomas (Chole, N=56). RESULTS: Preoperative audiograms revealed a significant relationship between the elevation of BC threshold and the severity of diseases. Postoperative BC thresholds were improved in 49% of SM (13.8 +/- 8.5), 51% of ICWM (13.8 +/- 6.1), and 35% of OCM (14.4 +/- 8.4), maintained in 45% of SM, 37% of ICWM, and 43% of OCM, but worsened in 6% of SM (-8.7 +/- 1.4), 12% of ICWM (-10.9 +/- 5.2), and 22% of OCM (-13.8 +/- 6.0). CONCLUSION: The preoperative BC threshold were maintained or improved in the majority of patients postoperatively. In OCM, more patients were worsened in BC hearing postoperatively than the others.