10 years of Bonebridge implant: Functional outcomes of unilaterally and bilaterally fitted children and adults with conductive and mixed hearing loss

Introduction The active, semi-implantable bone conduction hearing aid Bonebridge (BB, Med-El, Innsbruck, Austria) has been on the German market for 10 years now. The aim was to analyse the underlying aetiology of hearing loss, the surgical course and the audiological outcomes pre- and postoperatively of patients implanted with a BB at the ENT University Hospital Freiburg.

Methods Since 2012, 37 patients have been treated with the BB implant unilaterally or bilaterally. Demographic data including aetiologies and surgical course and placement of the BB were retrospectively evaluated. Audiological outcomes were determined using pure tone audiometry (functional/effective gain) and Freiburg monsyllabic testing (FBE, 65 dB, free field).

Results A total of 41 BBs were implanted in 37 patients (adults, n=25; children, n=12) with a mean age of 27;8 ± 16;7 years. Four patients received a bilateral BB. The predominant diagnosis leading to BB implantation was auditory canal atresia (41%, n=17). Bone conduction thresholds were not altered postoperatively. All implanted BB patients showed a significant improvement in functional/effective gain, as well as in speech perception in FBE testing compared to preoperative testing. Revision surgery was necessary in 2 cases, one implant-related and one patient-related.

Discussion The present results show a significantly improved speech perception with BB compared to the unaided situation. The BB implant has been a safe and effective treatment method for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss for 10 years, if the audiological indication criteria are met.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023