First Results With a New, Pressure-free, Adhesive Bone Conduction Hearing Aid

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing benefit, advantages, and disadvantages in a series of patients using a new, nonimplantable, pressure-free, adhesive bone conduction hearing aid.

Twelve patients were included in the study at the ear, nose, and throat department of the Medical University of Vienna. All patients suffered from conductive hearing loss for at least 3 months. A sound field audiometry, Freiburg monosyllables word test and Oldenburg sentence test were carried out. Additionally, sound quality (SSQ12) and quality of life (AQoL-8D) were assessed using questionnaires.

Analysis revealed an average aided threshold of 30.8 dB HL (±7.1 SD) and an unaided threshold of 45.1 dB HL (±7.0 SD), resulting in a statistically significant (p < 0.001) average functional gain. Additionally, participants experienced about 30% gain in word recognition scores at 65 dB sound pressure level, speech reception threshold in quiet was 56.8 dB (±6.1) and improved to 44.5 dB (±6.4) in the aided condition. Both, the SSQ12 and the AQoL-8D showed a statistically significant improvement when comparing the scores at the beginning of the study to the answers after 2 weeks of device usage (SSQ12 (p < 0.002) and AQoL-8D (p = 0.002)). Neither skin irritations nor pain were reported during the study period.

In conclusion, this new, adhesive bone conduction hearing aid has a high patient satisfaction rate while causing no skin irritation or pain.