Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Endoscopic Ossiculoplasty – Techniques, Innovations, and Practical Guidance for Clinical Integration
Published on: January 26, 2024
Complications and parent satisfaction in pediatric osseointegrated bone-conduction hearing implants
Kenny H Chan1,2, Dexiang Gao3, Emily L Jensen1,2
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, U.S.A.
Insights
Osseointegrated bone conduction hearing implants (OBCHIs) in children have a high complication rate, with many requiring revision surgery. However, parental satisfaction remains high despite these challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Auditory Implants
Background:
- Conductive, mixed, and single-sided sensorineural hearing loss significantly impact children's development.
- Osseointegrated bone conduction hearing implants (OBCHIs) offer a solution for hearing restoration in pediatric populations.
- Assessing long-term outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction is crucial for evaluating OBCHI efficacy in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term complication rates associated with OBCHIs in pediatric patients.
- To determine the level of parental satisfaction with OBCHIs in children.
- To identify potential risk factors for complications in pediatric OBCHI recipients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who underwent OBCHI implantation.
- Analysis of complication data, including skin infections, overgrowth, and need for revision surgery.
- Parental satisfaction assessed via phone interviews.
Main Results:
- Forty-five children with 0.3-10.4 years follow-up were analyzed.
- The most common indication was conductive hearing loss due to aural atresia (62.9%).
- Fifty-eight complications occurred in 29 subjects; 44% required revision surgery, higher than in adults. Children under 5 had higher revision rates. 76% of parents reported satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric OBCHI recipients experience a high rate of postoperative complications and revision surgeries.
- Younger children (<5 years) are at increased risk for implant failure and revision.
- Despite complications, parental satisfaction with OBCHIs in children is generally high.
Objective:
To assess long-term complication rate and parental satisfaction of osseointegrated bone conduction hearing implants (OBCHIs).
Study Design:
Retrospective chart review of children undergoing OBCHIs.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review of children undergoing OBCHIs for the treatment of conductive, mixed, and single-sided sensorineural hearing loss in children.
Results:
Forty-five subjects were identified with 0.3 to 10.4 years of follow-up. The mean/median age and age range at implant were 9.0/7.8 and 1.7 to 19.1 years. The underlying hearing loss for the cohort included conductive (N = 30), sensorineural (N = 7), and mixed (N = 8) hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss, caused by aural atresia (62.9), was the most common indication for implantation. Fifty-eight complications occurred in 29 subjects, most related to skin infection or overgrowth. Seventeen events required revision surgery, and 18 required oral antibiotics and/or office-based cauterization. Children under the age of 5 years were more likely to have failure of osseointegration or require revision surgery. Parents of 33 subjects underwent a phone interview; 76% rated the overall satisfaction as satisfied or very satisfied.
Conclusion:
A large percentage of children undergoing OBCHI develop postoperative complications, and up to 44% require revision surgery-a figure higher than generally reported and higher than in adults. No factors were found to adequately explain the higher complication rates in children compared to adults. Despite the occurrence of complications, parents viewed this device as satisfactory from many perspectives.
Level Of Evidence:
4. Laryngoscope, 127:2165-2170, 2017.
