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The bone-anchored hearing aid in children: a surgical and questionnaire follow-up study
Claudia Priwin1, Gösta Granström
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Göteborg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. claudia.priwin@karolinska.se
Insights
Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) are a viable option for children, even with thin temporal bones. Most pediatric patients reported positive experiences and satisfaction with their BAHA devices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) offer a solution for hearing loss in children.
- Surgical considerations and patient outcomes in pediatric BAHA implantation require thorough evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess surgical techniques and complications associated with BAHA in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate children's attitudes and satisfaction with BAHA.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 41 children with unilateral BAHA.
- Review of surgical recordings and distribution of a patient questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Two-stage surgical procedures were standard; average temporal bone thickness was 2.5 mm, necessitating augmentation in 8 patients.
- Implant placement often occurred near critical structures (dura/sigmoid sinus) in 70.5% of cases.
- Implant failure (9.1%) and skin reactions (7.6%) were observed; however, 19 of 27 respondents remained satisfied BAHA users.
Conclusions:
- BAHA is a beneficial hearing solution for children, even with limited temporal bone thickness.
- Despite surgical challenges, pediatric patients generally exhibit high satisfaction with BAHA devices.
Objectives:
The main objectives were to evaluate the surgical techniques and problems seen in children with bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) as well as to determine the children's attitudes toward BAHA.
Study Design:
A retrospective study of 41 children with unilateral BAHA was conducted. Surgical recordings were investigated and a questionnaire was distributed.
Results:
Surgery was performed as a 2-stage procedure. Available bone thickness was measured in 29 patients and found to be on average 2.5 mm. Thin temporal bone necessitated bone augmentation in 8 patients. Of the implants, 70.5% were installed in contact with the dura or the sigmoid sinus. Implant failures were seen in 9.1% and adverse skin reactions appeared in 7.6% of the patients. Twenty-seven patients responded to the questionnaire, 19 were still BAHA users. Overall, these patients were very content with their BAHAs.
Conclusion:
BAHA is a good alternative in children despite limited thickness of the temporal bone.
