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Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Sound Source Localization Testing in Single-sided Deafness Following Bone Conduction Intervention
Published on: December 20, 2024
Active transcutaneous bone conduction implant: audiological results in paediatric patients with bilateral microtia
Sofía Bravo-Torres1,2, Carolina Der-Mussa1,3, Eduardo Fuentes-López4,5
1a Unidad de Otorrinolaringologia, Servicio de Cirugia , Hospital Dr. Luis Calvo Mackenna , Santiago , Chile.
Insights
The Bonebridge™ implant significantly improved hearing and word recognition in children with congenital conductive hearing loss. This active bone conduction implant offers functional gain for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Conductive hearing loss in children can result from external ear malformations.
- Bone conduction implants offer an alternative for hearing rehabilitation when conventional hearing aids are insufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the audiological outcomes of pediatric patients (<18 years) implanted with the Bonebridge™ active bone conduction implant.
- To assess functional gain and word recognition improvements in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case study design.
- Analysis of medical records from patients who received the Bonebridge™ implant between 2014 and 2016 in Chile's public health sector.
- Inclusion criteria: bilateral conductive hearing loss secondary to external ear malformations (N=15).
Main Results:
- Average hearing threshold at one month post-activation was 25.2 dB.
- Improved hearing thresholds compared to traditional bone conduction hearing aids, particularly between 0.5-4 kHz.
- Significant increase in monosyllable word recognition observed during the adaptation period.
Conclusions:
- The Bonebridge™ active bone conduction implant demonstrates efficacy in improving hearing thresholds.
- Significant functional gain and enhanced word recognition were noted in pediatric patients with congenital conductive hearing loss.
Objective:
To describe, in terms of functional gain and word recognition, the audiological results of patients under 18 years of age implanted with the active bone conduction implant, Bonebridge™.
Design:
Retrospective case studies conducted by reviewing the medical records of patients receiving implants between 2014 and 2016 in the public health sector in Chile.
Study Sample:
All patients implanted with the Bonebridge were included (N = 15). Individuals who had bilateral conductive hearing loss, secondary to external ear malformations, were considered as candidates.
Results:
The average hearing threshold one month after switch on was 25.2 dB (95%CI 23.5-26.9). Hearing thresholds between 0.5 and 4 kHz were better when compared with bone conduction hearing aids. Best performance was observed at 4 kHz, where improvements to hearing were observed throughout the adaptation process. There was evidence of a significant increase in the recognition of monosyllables.
Conclusions:
The Bonebridge implant showed improvements to hearing thresholds and word recognition in paediatric patients with congenital conductive hearing loss.
