Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Sound Source Localization Testing in Single-sided Deafness Following Bone Conduction Intervention
Published on: December 20, 2024
[Relative value of BAHA testing for the postoperative audiological outcome]
I Gründer1, R O Seidl, A Ernst
1HNO-Klinik am Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Strasse 7, 12683, Berlin, Deutschland. ines.gruender@ukb.de
Background:
Bone-anchored hearing aids provide a therapy option for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss, with the possibility of audiological rehabilitation. Test rod and tension headband offer the patient a preoperative impression of their postoperative hearing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tools available for preoperative assessment of candidates for bone-anchored hearing aids and to ascertain predictive audiometric values.
Methods:
Following implantation of a BAHA Compact system, sound and speech audiograms were performed in each of 16 patients with the bone-anchored BAHA device and with test rod and tension headband.
Results:
Both with the BAHA and with the test devices, closure of the air-bone gap occurred and resulted in a clear improvement in hearing threshold and speech perception. The threshold increase with the BAHA was 9 dB greater on average (mean) than that measured with the test rod and the tension headband. Examinaation of speech perception indicated a mean advantage of 14-20% for the anchored BAHA system over the tension headband in monosyllabic testing.
Conclusion:
Preoperative testing before providing a BAHA system is a good way of predicting what level of hearing and speech perception can be expected after implantation.
