First results with a new, pressure-free, adhesive bone conduction hearing aid

Introduction:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing benefit, advantages and disadvantages with a new, non-implantable, pressure-free, adhesive bone conduction hearing aid in a series of patients.

Methods:

12 patients were included in the study at the ENT department of the Medical University of Vienna. All patients suffered from conductive hearing loss for at least three months. A sound field audiometry, Freiburg monosyllables word test and Oldenburg sentence test were performed. Additionally, sound quality (SSQ12) and quality of life (AQoL-8D) were assessed using questionnaires.

Results:

Analysis revealed an average aided threshold of 30.1 dB HL (± 7.0 SD) and an unaided threshold of 45.0 dB HL (± 6.8 SD), resulting in an average functional gain of 14.9 dB with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Additionally, participants experienced about 30% gain in word recognition scores at 65 dB, SRT in quiet was 56.8 dB (± 6.1) and improved to 44.5 dB (± 6.4). Both the SSQ12 and the AQoL-8D showed a statistically significant improvement.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, this new, adhesive bone conduction hearing aid has a high patient satisfaction rate while causing no skin irritation or pain. The hearing gain was similar to other conventional bone conduction devices without the usual esthetical and pressure associated disadvantages.

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
18. April 2018 (online)