Evaluation of a new powerful bone-anchored hearing system: a comparison study

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Hearing Science

Background:

• Digital bone-conduction hearing aid technology offers potential benefits for individuals with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, and single-sided deafness.
• Percutaneous stimulation via bone-anchored implants is a key feature of these advanced devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of the new Oticon Medical Ponto Pro Power (bone-conduction device 2 [BCD2]) with the Cochlear Baha Intenso (bone-conduction device 1 [BCD1]).
• Evaluate objective and subjective outcomes in patients with mixed hearing loss using bone-anchored implants.

Main Methods:

• A nonrandomized study design involved direct comparison of subjects' existing BCD1 with the new BCD2 after a 4-week acclimatization period.
• Objective measures included aided free-field thresholds and speech perception in quiet and noise.
• Subjective assessments utilized the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) questionnaires, alongside user satisfaction surveys.

Main Results:

• Speech reception thresholds in noise were significantly better with BCD2 (2.0 dB lower, p < 0.001).
• Subjective evaluations showed statistically significant greater benefit for BCD2 across all APHAB subscales (p < 0.05).
• The SSQ revealed significantly more favorable outcomes for BCD2 in speech and sound quality domains (p < 0.05), with all subjects preferring BCD2.

Conclusions:

• The Ponto Pro Power (BCD2) demonstrates superior performance in noisy environments and enhanced subjective benefit compared to the Baha Intenso (BCD1).
• The digital signal processing of BCD2 is highly preferred by users, indicating a significant advancement in bone-conduction hearing aid technology.