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Updated: Nov 2, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Impedance Monitoring for Cochlear Implant Surgery
Published on: August 4, 2023
Audiologic outcomes and complications of active middle ear implantation in older adults
Sung Hwan Lim1, Moon Seung Baeg1, Beom Mo Koo1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Veterans Health Service Medical Centre, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background:
A few studies have reported the use of middle ear implants (MEIs) in older adults.
Objectives:
To evaluate the audiologic outcomes and postoperative complications of MEIs in older adults.
Methods:
This retrospective study reviewed audiologic data and medical records from a single referral centre. We identified 34 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent middle ear implantation using the Vibrant SoundbridgeTM device. Preoperative audiometric testing and postoperative aided audiometric testing were performed to evaluate the functional hearing gain at 1 year postoperatively. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on whether they underwent explantation because of poor hearing benefit.
Results:
Follow-up duration ranged from <1 to 5.3 years. The functional gain with MEIs significantly improved relative to the preoperative air conduction thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Eight patients underwent explantation and 7 lost their external audio processor devices. Those who removed their implants because of the poor hearing (group 1) showed significantly worse hearing thresholds at 1 kHz and speech discrimination scores than the others (group 2).
Conclusions And Significance:
MEIs for auditory rehabilitation can provide improved speech recognition and significant functional gains in older adults. Patients must be given appropriate preoperative explanations regarding the expected outcomes.
