First experiences with a new adhesive bone conduction hearing device in children

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Otolaryngology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Conductive hearing loss (CHL) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children can significantly impact development and quality of life.
• Traditional hearing aids may not be suitable for all pediatric cases, necessitating innovative solutions.
• Bone conduction hearing aids offer an alternative for specific types of hearing loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the hearing benefit of a novel, non-implantable, pressure-free, adhesive bone conduction hearing aid in pediatric patients.
• To assess the advantages and disadvantages of this new device.
• To determine the impact on sound quality and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen children with various types of hearing loss (bilateral CHL, unilateral CHL, unilateral SNHL) participated.
• Audiological tests, including speech audiometry and hearing threshold measurements, were conducted with and without the device.
• Sound quality (SSQ10) and quality of life (AQoL-6D) were assessed via questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant hearing improvements were observed in children with SNHL (speech audiometry with bubble noise: 21.33 dB HL with device vs. 27.67 dB HL without; p=0.027).
• Children with CHL demonstrated significant gains in hearing thresholds (sound field: 20.23 dB HL with device vs. 33.52 dB HL without; p=0.008) and speech audiometry (23.45 dB HL with device vs. 37.27 dB HL without; p=0.012).
• No adverse effects such as pain or irritation were reported by any participants.

Conclusions:

• The new adhesive bone conduction hearing aid provides a significant hearing benefit for pediatric patients.
• The device is non-implantable, pressure-free, and adhesive, offering advantages over traditional or implantable options.
• No aesthetic or other complications were associated with the use of this novel hearing aid.