scholarly journals Speech perception and hearing effort using a new active middle ear implant audio processor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Rahne ◽  
Laura Fröhlich ◽  
Luise Wagner ◽  
Miriam Hannah Kropp ◽  
Alexander Müller
Keyword(s):  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Substantial Improvement ◽  
Fourth Generation ◽  
Listening Effort ◽  
Active Middle Ear Implant ◽  
Middle Ear Implant ◽  
Subjective Satisfaction ◽  
Improved Performance

Abstract Purpose The Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) was introduced in 1996, and the fourth generation of the audio processor recently released. This clinical study evaluates the audiological performance and subjective satisfaction of the new SAMBA 2 audio processor compared to its predecessor, SAMBA. Method Fifteen VSB users tested both audio processors for approximately 3 weeks. Air conduction and bone conduction thresholds and unaided and aided sound field thresholds were measured with both devices. Speech performance in quiet (Freiburg monosyllables) and noise (OLSA) was evaluated as well as subjective listening effort (ACALES) and questionnaire outcomes (SSQ12 and APSQ). In addition, data from 16 subjects with normal hearing were gathered on sound field tests and ACALES. Results Both audio processors showed substantial improvement compared to the unaided condition. The SAMBA and SAMBA 2 had comparable performance in sound filed thresholds, while the SAMBA 2 was significantly better in speech in quiet, speech in noise, reduced listening effort, and improved subjective satisfaction compared with the SAMBA. Conclusion The SAMBA 2 audio processor, compared to its predecessor SAMBA, offers improved performance throughout the parameters investigated in this study. Patients with a VSB implant would benefit from an upgrade to SAMBA 2.

Intraoperative Estimation of the Coupling Efficiency and Clinical Outcomes of the Vibrant Soundbridge Active Middle Ear Implant Using Auditory Brainstem Response Measurements

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Geiger ◽  
Andreas Radeloff ◽  
Rudolf Hagen ◽  
Mario Cebulla
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Brainstem Response ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Coupling Efficiency ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Vibrant Soundbridge ◽  
Active Middle Ear Implant ◽  
Middle Ear Implant ◽  
Behavioral Thresholds ◽  
Brainstem Response

Purpose This study intraoperatively measured the coupling efficiency of the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), with the aim of avoiding revision surgery due to insufficient outcome. This method can also be used to test the integrity of the implant at the end of the implantation surgery and to evaluate aided thresholds. In addition, this method makes it possible to objectively test how well the VSB has been fitted, provide assistance in fitting handicapped patients or children, evaluate hearing degradation, or test for a drop in coupling efficiency before revision surgeries. In order to analyze the feasibility of these new VSB-aided auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds, they were compared to behavioral thresholds from the Vibrogram and the preoperative bone conduction thresholds. Method The study included 30 patients with mild-to-severe hearing loss implanted with a VSB (VORP503). Intraoperative ABR thresholds during the VSB implantation were recorded using a VSB-optimized chirp stimulus. The new method is compared to the bone conduction threshold of the study sample and the aided Vibrogram thresholds. Speech intelligibility results up to 24 months after surgery are also presented. Results A reliable correlation between the bone conduction thresholds and the intraoperative ABRs was found and was higher in comparison to the Vibrogram. Furthermore, speech intelligibility outcomes were stable over time. Conclusion ABR measurements can be used intraoperatively to estimate the coupling efficiency of the VSB and test the integrity of the implant at the end of surgery.

Comparison of Alternative Coupling Methods of the Vibrant Soundbridge Floating Mass Transducer

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 347-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Busch ◽  
Thomas Lenarz ◽  
Hannes Maier
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Round Window ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Regression Function ◽  
Ossicular Chain ◽  
Oval Window ◽  
Vibrant Soundbridge ◽  
Active Middle Ear Implant ◽  
Middle Ear Implant ◽  
Relevant Effect

The active middle ear implant Vibrant Soundbridge© provides a variety of coupling modalities of the floating mass transducer (FMT) to various structures of the ossicular chain and the round window. A retrospective analysis was performed on 125 subjects (n = 137 ears) (1) to compare the efficacy of the different FMT coupling modalities with increasing degree of hearing loss, (2) to compare the performance in speech outcome and the effective gain between the coupling types, and (3) to evaluate the risk of additional hearing loss of each coupling procedure. The patients were grouped according to their type of FMT coupling into incus vibroplasty (incus group, n = 59), round window vibroplasty with coupler (RWC group, n = 23), round window vibroplasty without coupler (RW group, n = 22), and oval window vibroplasty with coupler (OWC group, n = 33). For each coupling group, pre- and postoperative thresholds, the results of the Freiburg monosyllable test at 65 dB SPL, and the effective gain across frequencies (0.5-6 kHz) were evaluated. A logistic regression function was used to describe the relationship between word recognition scores (WRS, in % correct) and the mean bone conduction (BC) hearing loss. The surgical procedure had no clinically relevant effect on BC thresholds of patients in each coupling group. The BC pure tone average (PTA4) for 50% WRS predicted by the model function was similar for the incus (48.2 dB nHL), RW (47.8 dB nHL), and OWC (49.0 dB nHL) groups, but higher for the RWC group (67.9 dB nHL). However, the median WRS was 80% or better with no significant differences in speech perception between coupling types (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.229). The effective gain shows an advantage for the incus coupling between 0.5 and 2 kHz over the other coupling types. The performance of the FMT coupling modalities is equally good for patients with a mild-to-moderate hearing loss, but the efficacy of coupling types differs for patients with greater hearing loss (>48 dB BC HL).

Bonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction implant in children with congenital aural atresia: surgical and audiological outcomes

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (8) ◽  
pp. 693-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
L X Ngui ◽  
I P Tang
Keyword(s):  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Satisfaction Scale ◽  
Implant Surgery ◽  
Aural Atresia ◽  
Bone Conduction Implant ◽  
Congenital Aural Atresia ◽  
Conductive Hearing ◽  
Air Conduction

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the surgical and audiological outcomes of the Bonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction hearing implant among children with congenital aural atresia.MethodsSix children were recruited and underwent Bonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction implant surgery. The patients’ audiometric thresholds for air conduction, bone conduction and sound-field tests were assessed pre-operatively and at six months post-operatively. Patients’ satisfaction was assessed at six months post-operatively with the Hearing Device Satisfaction Scale.ResultsNo major complications were reported. Mean aided sound-field thresholds improved post-operatively by more than 30 dB for 0.5–4 kHz (p < 0.05). Mean unaided air conduction and bone conduction thresholds differed by less than 5 dB post-operatively (compared to pre-operatively) for 0.5–4 kHz; these findings were not significant (p > 0.05). All patients were satisfied (scores were over 90 per cent) with the implant in terms of functional outcome and cosmetic appearance.ConclusionBonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction implant surgery is safe and effective among children with congenital aural atresia with conductive hearing loss.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatibility of a New Generation of Active Middle Ear Implant

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. e222-e227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Schnabl ◽  
Astrid Wolf-Magele ◽  
Stefan Marcel Pok ◽  
Lena Hirtler ◽  
Gertraud Heinz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Active Middle Ear Implant ◽  
Middle Ear Implant ◽  
New Generation

Differences in Force Levels, Word Recognition in Quiet, Sentence Reception Threshold in Noise, and Subjective Outcomes for a Bone-Anchored Hearing Device Programmed Using Manufacturer First-Fit, Aided Sound-Field Thresholds and Programmed to DSL-BCD Using a Skull Simulator

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (07) ◽  
pp. 395-404
Author(s):  
Adam Voss ◽  
Alison Brockmeyer ◽  
Michael Valente ◽  
John Pumford ◽  
Cameron C. Wick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Word Recognition ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Bone Conduction ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Hearing Devices ◽  
Subjective Outcomes

Abstract Background Best practice guidelines for verifying fittings of bone-anchored hearing devices (BAHD) recommend using aided sound-field thresholds (ASFT), but express caution regarding the variables impacting obtaining valid and reliable ASFTs.1 Recently, a skull simulator was introduced to facilitate programming BAHD devices in force level (FL) to desired sensation level-bone conduction devices (skull simulator/DSL-BCD)2 3 targets in a hearing aid analyzer. Currently, no evidence is available reporting if differences in measured FL using the manufacturer first-fit (FF) and word recognition in quiet, sentence reception threshold in noise, and subjective outcomes are present for a BAHD programmed using ASFT versus programmed using skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets. Purpose The aim of this study was to examine if significant differences were present in FL using the FF and word recognition in quiet at 50 and 65 decibel of sound pressure level (dB SPL), sentence reception threshold in noise and subjective outcomes using the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit (APHAB), and speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing (SSQ) between a BAHD fit using ASFT or skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets. Research Design A double-blind randomized crossover design with 15 adults having unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. All participants were successful users of the Cochlear America Baha 5. Data Collection and Analysis Baha Power 5 devices were fit using FF, ASFT, and skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets. Order of the three fitting strategies was randomly assigned and counter-balanced. Results No significant differences were found for a BAHD device programmed using ASFT versus skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets for consonant-nucleus-consonant words in quiet at 50 or 65 dB SPL, sentence reception threshold in noise, the APHAB or SSQ. There were, however, significant differences, at primarily 500 to 2,000 Hz in measured FLs between the FF, ASFT, and skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets at 50 and 65 dB SPL. Conclusions There were no significant differences in subject performance with two speech measures and subjective responses to two questionnaires for BAHD fittings using ASFT versus using skull simulator/DSL-BCD targets. Differences in FL between the three fitting strategies were present primarily at 500 to 2,000 Hz. Limitations of the study are highlighted along with situations where the skull simulator can play a significantly beneficial role when fitting BAHD devices.

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