Individual solutions apart from classical reconstructions for hearing rehabilitation of the combined hearing loss with active middle ear in frequently operated ears

In the last decades, hearing rehabilitation with active implantable hearing devices has become a clinical routine technical option for the rehabilitation of a mixed hearing loss in patients who underwent multiple ear surgeries. Thanks to the experience gained in recent years with active middle ear implants, the range of indications has been gradually expanded with good functional results.

Today, active middle ear implants are a promising possibility for the hearing habilitation of a combined hearing loss in patients who can not wear hearing aid due to the anatomical situation after multiple surgeries or the underlying middle ear pathology when applied within the audiological limits. Application of active middle ear implants give good results, in the respective. The CE mark for children now also makes it possible to care for young patients with an implantable hearing aid.

The intraoperative situation during a revision procedure does not always allow the connection of the FMT with one of the numerous coupling elements offered by the manufacturer, the so-called coupler, to solve the purpose satisfactorily.

The three examples describe individualized coupling solutions in different intraoperative anatomical situations for hearing rehabilitation in patients after multiple previous surgeries. The coupling of the active part of the implant in the oval niche and the additional introduction of a classic PORP prosthesis on the FMT in connection with a cartilage construction for the reconstruction of the tympanic covering are described in picture sequences and presented with the audiological results for discussion.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
10. Juni 2020