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Updated: May 23, 2026
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Sound Source Localization Testing in Single-sided Deafness Following Bone Conduction Intervention
Published on: December 20, 2024
Audiological and subjective benefit results in bone-anchored hearing device users
Maria Soledad Boleas-Aguirre1, Maria Dolores Bulnes Plano, Iñigo Ruiz de Erenchun Lasa
1Department of Otolaryngology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. msboleas18@gmail.com
Summary
Bone-anchored hearing devices offer significant audiological and subjective benefits for adults, particularly those with conductive hearing loss. The devices improved speech recognition and discrimination, with no processor differences noted.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Hearing loss affects millions globally, necessitating advanced assistive listening devices.
- Bone-anchored hearing devices (BAHDs) offer an alternative for individuals with specific types of hearing loss.
- Evaluating the real-world benefits of different BAHD processors is crucial for patient selection and device optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the audiological and subjective benefits of unilateral bone-anchored hearing devices in adult users.
- To compare the performance of Compact, Divino, and Intenso BAHD processors.
- To identify patient characteristics that predict greater benefit from BAHDs.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective evaluation of 38 adult subjects fitted with unilateral BAHDs at a tertiary referral center.
- Audiometric measurements included sound-field pure-tone and speech audiometries (speech reception threshold, maximum speech discrimination).
- Subjective benefit was assessed using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire, comparing unaided results with device-aided performance.
Main Results:
- BAHD use resulted in increased gain across all frequencies and improved speech recognition thresholds by 20 dB.
- Maximum speech discrimination improved by 5% with BAHD use, and APHAB scores decreased, indicating greater benefit.
- Greater benefits were observed in subjects with ipsilateral conductive hearing loss and contralateral normal or conductive hearing loss, with no significant differences between the Compact, Divino, and Intenso processors.
Conclusions:
- Unilateral bone-anchored hearing devices provide significant audiological and subjective benefits, especially for patients with conductive hearing loss.
- The devices offer marginal benefits for individuals with mixed or sensorineural hearing loss.
- No discernible differences in benefit were found among the tested Compact, Intenso, and Divino BAHD processors.