Single-center Experience of Over a Hundred Implantations of a Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Device.

OBJECTIVE: To assess outcomes with a novel passive transcutaneous bone conduction device (t-BCD). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective data collection and patient review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent implantation with the t-BCD between November 2013 and September 2016. INTERVENTION: Implantation of BAHA Attract. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical outcome, patient reported outcomes including the "Glasgow Benefit Inventory" and the "Client Oriented Scale of Improvement" for adults and the "Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale" (SSQ-12) for children. RESULTS: One hundred five patients were implanted. Numbness superior to the incision was commonly noticed. Four patients (3.8%) developed skin tenderness and redness that settled with conservative measures. Among those patients who had a conversion from a percutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Device (BCHD) to the t-BCD (n=15), 1 (0.9%) developed seroma and 2 (1.9%) developed skin dehiscence at the edge of the implant magnet. Significant improvement in Client Oriented Scale of Improvement and Glasgow Benefit Inventory scores with a global satisfaction of 84% and 77.4% was observed for those previously aided and unaided respectively, with use of the device. A 22% improvement in SSQ-12 mean score was observed in the pediatric population. CONCLUSION: This is the largest single-center series reported on this t-BCD. The complication rate is small but caution is required in patients of conversion from a percutaneous BCHD. The patients' satisfaction is high and the need for aftercare is minimal. Cost-effectiveness evaluation of these devices, development of core outcome sets and well-designed, prospective trials to compare the different BCHDs should be the focus of future research.

Intermediate outcomes of a transcutaneous bone conduction hearing device in a paediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA®) Attract implantation in a cohort of paediatric patients. METHODS: Prospective data collection and case review were undertaken in a paediatric tertiary referral centre. We have included patients under the age of 16 years with unilateral or bilateral hearing loss that met the criteria for BAHA® Attract implantation. The main outcome measures were surgical complications and Patient Reported Outcomes including the 'Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale' (SSQ-12) and 'Qualitative Feedback for BAHA® 5 Hearing Aids'. RESULTS: Twenty-five paediatric patients were implanted with the BAHA® Attract between June 2014 and July 2016. Nine of them had a conversion from a percutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Device (BCHD). Four children had minor skin problems that settled with conservative measures. Two children with a previous percutaneous BCHD developed skin dehiscence over the magnet after conversion to the transcutaneous version. The SSQ-12 was completed by 6 children and an improvement of 22% was noted between the unaided and aided condition. The patients and their parents were generally satisfied with the BAHA® Attract. CONCLUSIONS: The BAHA® Attract offers a good solution for hearing rehabilitation in appropriately selected and counseled patients. The complication rate was low for primary surgery but higher in cases of conversion from a percutaneous device. Large, prospective data is needed to evaluate the relative risks and benefits of this BCHD.