Multicenter Results with an Active Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implant in Patients with Single-sided Deafness

As the technology advances and bone conduction implant (BCI) use increases, implantable bone conduction hearing aids are regarded as a treatment method for single-sided deafness (SSD) and their efficacy on SSD must be discussed. Therefore, we organized the problems of SSD and types of implantable bone conduction hearing aids and explained their effectiveness in the treatment of SSD in terms of changes in 1) speech recognition in a noisy environment, 2) sound localization, 3) subjective satisfaction as assessed by questionnaire, and 4) tinnitus. Although bone conduction hearing aids do not significantly improve localization ability in SSD, they increase the ability to listen under noise, increasing subjective satisfaction. Tinnitus improvement was also reported. The active forms of BCI like MED-EL BONEBRIDGE®2 and Cochlear Osia®2 have been developed well. Based on these technological developments and effects, bone conduction hearing aids would be a good option for treatment option of SSD.

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First experiences with bone conduction implant Sophono

Otorinolaryngologie a foniatrie ◽

10.48095/ccorl2021102 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 102-108

Author(s):

Lukáš Varga ◽

Branislava Bercíková ◽

Zuzana Kabátová ◽

Milan Profant

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Conductive Hearing Loss ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Mixed Hearing Loss ◽

Bone Conduction Implant ◽

Single Sided Deafness ◽

Conductive Hearing

ntroduction: Bone conduction implants are currently used for rehabilitation of conductive and mixed hearing loss as well as for single sided deafness. A growing number of these implants available on the market increases requirements on detailed knowledge on their technical properties, and on their advantages and disadvantages in clinical practice. Sophono is one of the recent members in this implant group. The aim of the study is to summarize our first experiences with Sophono at our implantation center in Bratislava. Patients and methods: We present data of the first two adult patients who underwent Sophono implantation. Both suffered from bilateral conductive hearing loss of different etiology. We focused on their audiological functional outcomes, basic surgical aspects and subjective assessment by the patients. Results: In free field tone audiometry with the implant, both patients achieved improvement of hearing thresholds by 21.25 dB and 31.25 dB, respectively. In speech tests with and without noise, we also demonstrated a clear benefit of the implant, which was in a narrow relationship with the degrees of their hearing loss: speech discrimination scores in noise were 30% and 60% in patients 1 and 2, respectively. The surgical procedure in Sophono implantation is relatively simple and does not include any work on middle ear structures. Patient satisfaction with the implant does not always correspond to the measured functional outcomes. Conclusion: The Sophono implant represents a suitable option for rehabilitation of conductive and mixed hearing loss as well as single sided deafness in selected patients. The candidate selection is always based on comprehensive assessment in which the audiological results are an elementary criterion, but definitely not a single one. Keywords: Sophono – implantation – conductive hearing loss

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Clinical and functional results after implantation of the bonebridge, a semi-implantable, active transcutaneous bone conduction device, in children and adults

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology ◽

10.1007/s00405-021-06626-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ingmar Seiwerth ◽

Laura Fröhlich ◽

Sebastian Schilde ◽

Gerrit Götze ◽

Stefan K. Plontke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Conduction ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Sound Field ◽

Functional Results ◽

Virtual Surgery ◽

Ear Surgery ◽

Mixed Hearing Loss ◽

Bone Conduction Implant ◽

Single Sided Deafness ◽

Bone Conduction Device

Abstract Purpose Aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical, clinical and audiological outcome of 32 implantations of the Bonebridge, a semi-implantable transcutaneous active bone conduction implant. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data for 32 implantations in 31 patients (one bilateral case; seven age < 16 years) with conductive or mixed hearing loss, malformations, after multiple ear surgery, or with single-sided deafness as contralateral routing of signal (CROS). Results Four implantations were done as CROS. Five cases were simultaneously planned with ear prosthesis anchors, and 23 implantations (72%) were planned through three-dimensional (3D) “virtual surgery.” In all 3D-planned cases, the implant could be placed as expected. For implant-related complications, rates were 12.5% for minor and 3.1% for major complications. Implantation significantly improved mean sound field thresholds from a preoperative 60 dB HL (SD 12) to 33 dB HL (SD 6) at 3 postoperative months and 34 dB HL (SD 6) at > 11 postoperative months (p < 0.0001). Word recognition score in quiet at 65 dB SPL improved from 11% (SD 20) preoperatively to 74% (SD 19) at 3 months and 83% (SD 15) at > 11 months (p < 0.0001). The speech reception threshold in noise improved from − 1.01 dB unaided to − 2.69 dB best-aided (p = 0.0018). Conclusion We found a clinically relevant audiological benefit with Bonebridge. To overcome anatomical challenges, we recommend preoperative 3D planning in small and hypoplastic mastoids, children, ear malformation, and simultaneous implantation of ear prosthesis anchors and after multiple ear surgery.

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A New Active Osseointegrated Implant System in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000515489 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Kerstin Willenborg ◽

Emilio Avallone ◽

Hannes Maier ◽

Thomas Lenarz ◽

Susan Busch

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Speech Recognition ◽

Surgical Procedure ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Receiver Coil ◽

Observation Study ◽

Bone Conduction Implant ◽

Single Sided Deafness ◽

Implant System

Objective: The Cochlear™ Osia® System (Osia) is an active transcutaneous bone conduction implant system intended for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss but can also be used in cases of single-sided deafness (SSD) for the contralateral routing of signal (CROS). The Osia implant is placed subcutaneously under the intact skin behind the ear with the piezoelectric actuator connected to an osseointegrated BI300 implant – a titanium screw used for a 2-stage Baha surgery – on the mastoid. The external processor is magnetically attached to the subcutaneous implant receiver coil. As the Osia has recently been CE certified and is new on the market, with limited patient outcome data for SSD available, the objective of this study was the evaluation of surgical procedure, audiological results, and patient satisfaction for the Osia in SSD patients. Study Design: In a prospective, monocentric clinical observation study, 6 patients (18 years of age or older) with SSD and bone conduction thresholds pure tone average 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz ≤25 dB HL on the contralateral side were implanted with an Osia. Analysis of clinical outcome data with respect to surgical technique, adverse events, audiological measurement, and subjective benefit for SSD patients was conducted. Audiological measurements performed included hearing thresholds, sound field thresholds, word recognition scores (WRS; in %) in quiet, and speech recognition thresholds in noise (in dB SNR). All tests were performed unaided and aided with the Osia. The subjective benefit with the Osia was determined by using 2 questionnaires; the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and the Bern Benefit in Single-Sided Deafness (BBSSD). Results: Preliminary results indicate a straightforward surgical procedure with a low rate of complications and an improvement in speech perception in quiet, listening performance in everyday situations and patient satisfaction. However, in one of 6 subjects, a revision surgery had to be performed. Conclusion: Provided that SSD patients are open for CROS hearing, they can benefit from the Osia by reduced head shadow effects and better speech recognition. Special caution should be given to the skin at the site of implantation to avoid complications.

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Review of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices

Audiology Research ◽

10.3390/audiolres11020019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 207-219

Author(s):

Susan E. Ellsperman ◽

Emily M. Nairn ◽

Emily Z. Stucken

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aid ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Sound Transmission ◽

Ear Canal ◽

Hearing Devices ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing ◽

Single Sided Deafness

Bone conduction is an efficient pathway of sound transmission which can be harnessed to provide hearing amplification. Bone conduction hearing devices may be indicated when ear canal pathology precludes the use of a conventional hearing aid, as well as in cases of single-sided deafness. Several different technologies exist which transmit sound via bone conduction. Here, we will review the physiology of bone conduction, the indications for bone conduction amplification, and the specifics of currently available devices.

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