Congenital Aural Atresia – Audiological Results with the Bonebridge Transcutaneuos Bone-Conduction Implant in Children and Adults

Introduction:

Since 2012 the transcutaneous bone conduction hearing implant Bonebridge (MedEl, Innsbruck, Austria) is used for patients with mixed or conductive hearing loss or single side deafness.

Objective:

This study evaluates the experience of 31 patients (aged 3 – 38 years) with congenital aural atresia who have undergone audiologic rehabilitation using the Bonebridge implant between June 2012 and August 2017.

Results:

Air-conduction pure tone average was 63,98 dBHL (± 14,02 dBHL). Unaided average air-bone gap was 52,69 dBHL (± 15,74 dBHL).

Speech discrimination scores measured with Freiburger monosylable test at 65 dBSPL showed a significant continious improvement in quiet of 78,59% ± 24,57% (first fit), 91,88% ± 9,50% (3 months) up to 97,14% ± 4,10% after 6 months. The benefit became manifest after 6 months.

Conclusion:

We see the significant hearing improvement as a result of implantation with stable results after 6 months of activation and a high level of satisfaction.

None of the authors have any conflicts of interest.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)