Efficacy of Implantable Bone Conduction Hearing Aids in 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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Bonebridge – an active direct bone conduction hearing device in rehabilitation of single sided deafness Czech version

Otorinolaryngologie a foniatrie ◽

10.48095/ccorl202165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 65-73

Author(s):

Miroslav Veselý ◽

Břetislav Gál ◽

Jiří Hložek ◽

František Silný ◽

Jan Hanák

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Sound Source ◽

Acoustic Noise ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Binaural Hearing ◽

Directional Hearing ◽

Hearing In Noise ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing ◽

Noise Test ◽

Single Sided Deafness

Overview Introduction: Bonebridge is a direct bone conduction hearing implantable system. The aim of the work is to present pilot results of rehabilitation of single sided deafness using this system. Material and methods: Analysis of three patients with single-sideded deafness, who underwent BB implantation in 2018 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of St. Anna Hospital in Brno. Evaluation parameters: Bern Benefi t in Single-Sided Deafness Questionnaire, experimental examination of directional hearing and hearing in noise test. Results: Questionnaire: Within the visual analog scale in the range of –5 to +5 points, the average rating was + 2.4 points, so listening was rated as easier with Bonebridge than without hearing aids. The ability to locate the sound source was evaluated by 4 and 0–1 points in one and two respondents, respectively. Examination of spatial hearing: without hearing aid, the ability to locate the sound source was signifi cantly impaired in all the examined. With Bonebridge, with a tolerated deviation of 45°, the success rate of sound source localization was 75–100% in the range of 0–360° in the horizontal plane. Hearing in noise test: the greatest improvement in intelligibility (by 30–100%) was achieved with Bonebridge at SNR –5 dB. Conclusion: Bonebridge is not able to restore binaural hearing in patients with single sided deafness, it is a pseudo-binaural correction. Like other implantable bone conduction systems, Bonebridge is benefi tial for patients with single sided deafness in a variety of listening situations. Using experimental audiological tests, the contribution of Bonebridge to understanding sentences in acoustic noise and improving the ability to locate the sound source was found. However, validation of the results would require a larger number of probands. Keywords: single-sided deafness – BAHD – Bonebridge – bone conduction hearing implant – hearing in noise – directional hearing test

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Effects of SoundBite Bone Conduction Hearing Aids on Speech Recognition and Quality of Life in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2020/4106949 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Qiong Luo ◽

Ying Shen ◽

Ting Chen ◽

Zhong Zheng ◽

Haibo Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Speech Recognition ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Hearing Threshold ◽

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

Percentage Points ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing ◽

Single Sided Deafness

Objectives. To analyze the clinical application of SoundBite bone conduction hearing aids by assessing the improvement of speech recognition and the scores of the benefit scale questionnaire for patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). Design. Nine patients aged 24 to 61 years with SSD for more than 3 months were enrolled in this study. The patients could understand and repeat Mandarin and have good compliance with the study. The measurements were evaluated before and after one month of wearing hearing aids using the pure tone audiometry threshold, speech recognition in quiet and in noise, and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) benefit scale score. Results. Pure tone audiometry results showed that the average hearing threshold of good ears and bad ears was 11.4±2.6 dB HL and 89.9±6.4 dB HL, respectively. The average hearing threshold of bad ears after wearing hearing aids was 23.5±9.0 dB HL. Statistical analysis showed that the hearing improvement for the bad ears after wearing hearing aids was significant. The speech audiometry results showed that the disyllable word recognition score of the bad ears in quiet increased significantly at 50 dB SPL by 40±12 percentage points and at 65 dB SPL by 71±15 percentage points. As for the speech recognition in noise, when the signal sound came from the bad ear side and the noise from the good ear side (SSSDNAH), the speech recognition score (SRS) significantly increased by 17±6 and 9±4 at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of -2 dB and -5 dB, respectively, after wearing the hearing aids. When the signal sound came from the front of the patient and the noise from the bad ear side (S0NSSD), the SRS scores were reduced by 5±5 and 7±5 percentage points at SNR equal to -2 dB and -5 dB, which was significantly different from that before wearing the hearing aids. When the signal and noise both came from the front of the patients (S0N0), the SRS was not significantly increased by 5±4 percentage points at SNR equal to -2 dB compared to before wearing hearing aids. However, the SRS was significantly increased by 5±2 percentage points at SNR equal to -5 dB compared to before wearing hearing aids. The average total GBI score was 31±12 for the nine patients, with an average score of 32±10, 31±8, and 30±7 for general conditions, social support, and physical health, respectively. The results of the questionnaires showed that patients’ quality of life was improved after wearing SoundBite bone conduction hearing aids. Conclusions. SoundBite bone conduction hearing aids are a good choice for patients with SSD, as it could improve the speech recognition ability of patients both in a quiet and noisy environment and improves the quality of life after wearing hearing aids.

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Mitigation of Informational Masking in Individuals With Single-Sided Deafness by Integrated Bone Conduction Hearing Aids

Ear and Hearing ◽

10.1097/aud.0b013e31829d14e8 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 41-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bradford J. May ◽

Stephen Bowditch ◽

Yinda Liu ◽

Marc Eisen ◽

John K. Niparko

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Informational Masking ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing ◽

Single Sided Deafness

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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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The BAHA HC200/300 in comparison with conventional bone conduction hearing aids

Clinical Otolaryngology ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2273.1999.00193.x ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 171-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

C. T. M. Van Der Pouw ◽

A. F. M. Snik ◽

C. W. R. J. Cremers

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing

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Today's Possibilities and Applications of Bone Conduction Hearing Aids

International Audiology ◽

10.3109/05384916709074283 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 365-368

Author(s):

W. Niemeyer

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing

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Piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implant Osia® - audiological and quality of life benefits

Otolaryngologia Polska ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.9342 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Joanna Marszał ◽

Renata Gibasiewicz ◽

Magdalena Błaszczyk ◽

Maria Gawlowska ◽

Wojciech Gawęcki

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Speech Understanding ◽

Mixed Hearing Loss ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Mean ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing

Introduction: Nowadays, there are many options to treat hearing-impaired patients: tympanoplastic surgery, hearing aids and a wide range of implantable devices. Objective: The aim of this study is to present the mid-term audiological and quality of life benefits after the implantation of the Osia®, a new active piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implant. Material and methods: The state of the tissues in implanted area, as well as audiological and quality of life results were analyzed six, nine and twelve months after implantation in a group of four adult patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss. Results: In all the cases, no postoperative complications were found. One year after surgery the mean audiological gain in FF PTA4 (pure tone average for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) was 52.2±3.5 dB in comparison to the unaided situation, the mean speech understanding with Osia® in quiet was 90±8.2% for 50dB SPL, 98.8±2.5% for 65dB SPL and 100±0% for 80dB SPL, and mean speech understanding with Osia® in noise was 37.5%±23.6 for 50dB SPL, 93.8±4.8% for 65dB SPL and 98.8±2.5% for 80dB SPL. There was also an evident improvement in the quality of hearing as well as in the quality of life, measured by the APHAB (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit) and the SSQ (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale). Conclusions: The Osia® is an effective treatment option for patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss. The mid-term audiological and quality of life results are excellent, but further observations including bigger groups of patients and a longer follow-up are required.

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Hearing in Noise With Unilateral Versus Bilateral Bone Conduction Hearing Aids in Adults With Pseudo-conductive Hearing Loss

Otology & Neurotology ◽

10.1097/mao.0000000000002550 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 379-385

Author(s):

Ohad Hilly ◽

Meirav Sokolov ◽

Reut Beck Finkel ◽

Ofir Zavdy ◽

Rafael Shemesh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Conductive Hearing Loss ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Hearing In Noise ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing ◽

Conductive Hearing

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ADHEAR in Conductive Hearing Loss: a case study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa040.021 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

T Marques ◽

A Carvalho ◽

A Miguéis

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Conductive Hearing Loss ◽

Bone Conduction ◽

Single Subject ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Middle Ear Cholesteatoma ◽

Bone Conduction Hearing ◽

Conductive Hearing ◽

Hearing System

Abstract Introduction Bone conduction hearing systems can be applied through non-invasive devices, using soft bands that exert pressure on the skin, or they can be surgically implanted (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid - BAHA). However, these bone conduction devices are frequently not well accepted due to the pressure on the head. Therefore, a new non-surgical hearing system was developed not to exert pressure on the skin, the ADHEAR. The bone anchorage in ADHEAR is performed through an adhesive adapter and is indicated for patients with conductive hearing loss and normal inner ear function. Objectives Evaluate the audiological performance with the adhesive bone conduction hearing device (ADHEAR) in a patient with conductive hearing loss. Methodology The study was designed as a prospective single-subject repeated-measure study with the subject serving as his own control. A 29 year old female patient who had a primary surgery due to middle ear cholesteatoma, was adapted with unilateral non-invasive adhesive bone conduction system for the treatment of conductive hearing loss. Air and bone conduction thresholds, word recognition scores (WRS) and speech recognition thresholds (SRT) in quiet and noise were assessed to verify the inclusion criteria of the study. Aided and unaided pure tone audiometry at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz in free field and speech audiometry in quiet and noise were performed at baseline and after 4 weeks with the ADHEAR. Results The functional gain with the ADHEAR averaged over 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz after 4 weeks of usage of the adhesive hearing system, improved from 55 dB HL to 31dB HL. Speech perception in quiet and noise improved significantly in the aided situation, with SRT in quiet improving from 60 to 35 dB HL, when compared to the unaided condition. Similar results were found in noise. The patient evaluated the ADHEAR system as being useful, and without complaints of skin pressure. There was no adverse skin reaction. Conclusion Hearing performance was significantly better with ADHEAR under all test conditions. Therefore, this transcutaneous hearing system seems to be an excellent alternative for patients who need a hearing solution for conductive hearing loss but for clinical reasons cannot undergo surgery or conventional hearing aids. Furthermore, it preserves skin over the mastoid and reduces the risk of infection. Otherwise it has benefits verified by absence of head pressure and improvement of patient’s quality of life.

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