Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 12, 2025
08:06
Robotic Cochlear Implantation for Direct Cochlear Access
Published on: June 16, 2022
3.6K
Totally implantable active middle-ear implants: a large, single-surgeon cohort
E McCarty Walsh1, D R Morrison1, W J McFeely2
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|March 22, 2021
Summary
Totally implantable active middle-ear implants significantly improve hearing outcomes for sensorineural hearing loss. Device safety and efficacy are confirmed, with complication rates decreasing with surgeon experience.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Auditory Implants
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss often requires advanced amplification solutions.
- Conventional hearing aids may be insufficient for some patients.
- Active middle-ear implants offer an alternative for moderate-to-severe hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate hearing outcomes of active middle-ear implants.
- Assess device safety in a large patient cohort.
- Examine the impact of surgeon experience on outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series review.
- 116 patients with moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss.
- Implantation of totally implantable active middle-ear implants.
Main Results:
- Mean pure tone average improved by 23.5 dB (p = 0.0002).
- Word recognition score at 50 dB increased from 14.4% to 70.4% (p < 0.0001).
- Low revision and explant rates, decreasing with surgeon experience.
Conclusions:
- Active middle-ear implants provide excellent hearing results.
- Pure tone average and word recognition scores significantly improved.
- Complication rates decreased with increased surgeon experience, supporting consideration for appropriate patients.
