Comparison of the output Performance of a novel semi-implantable transcutaneous bone conduction hearing aid with a percutaneous bone anchored hearing system

Purpose The output performance of a novel semi-implantable Bone Conduction Device (BCD, Sentio, Oticon Medical) was compared to an established percutaneous bone anchored hearing system (Ponto 3, Oticon Medical) using cadaver heads. In addition, the influence on the performance of the Sentio after creation of a bone bed at the stimulation position was investigated.

Materials and Methods: The percutaneous Ponto and transcutaneous Sentio were sequentially implanted at two sites: 50 mm superior-posterior to the ear canal opening (position A) and about 20 mm Inferior-posterior to the ear canal opening behind the pinna on the mastoid, closer to the cochlea (position B) in 5 human cadaveric heads. The ipsilateral cochlear promontory (CP) vibration in response to BCD stimulation was measured using Laser Doppler vibrometery. In addition, at position B the bone was flattened by drilling an approximately 3 mm deep bone bed that fitted the Sentio, and the CP vibration was measured after placing the Sentio with / without bone bed and results were compared.

Results With stimulations at position B the CP vibration responses were higher compared to stimulation at position A. Therefore, placement of the Sentio transducer at position B provided similar or up to 7dB higher maximum average vibration magnitudes than the Ponto 3 at position A at frequencies above 600 Hz. No significant effects of the bone bed were found.

Conclusions Our results indicate that the vibration response at the CP from the new bone conduction implant Sentio at position B provides similar output levels as the percutaneous Ponto 3 at position A. The results also indicated that drilling a bone bed for the placement of the Sentio transducer does not improve the output.

Poster-PDF A-1319.pdf

Willilam Demant Foundation und Oticon Medical

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021