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Two Bonebridge bone conduction hearing implant generations: audiological benefit and quality of hearing in children
Soňa Šikolová1,2, Milan Urík3,4, Dagmar Hošnová1,2
1Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Brno, Černopolní 9, 61300, Brno, Czech Republic.
Insights
This study shows the Bonebridge implant offers significant audiological benefits for children with hearing loss, even surpassing normal hearing peers. The device demonstrates high safety and effectiveness in pediatric hearing rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Audiology
Background:
- Bone conduction implants are crucial for hearing rehabilitation in children.
- Evaluating newer generations of Bonebridge implants is essential for optimizing pediatric audiological care.
- Understanding the safety and efficacy of BCI601 and BCI602 in pediatric populations is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the audiological benefits, hearing quality, and safety of two Bonebridge generations (BCI601 and BCI602) in pediatric patients.
- To compare the performance of BCI601 and BCI602 implants in children with conductive hearing loss and single-sided deafness.
- To evaluate subjective hearing outcomes and localization abilities in children using Bonebridge implants.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of twelve children received either a BCI601 (n=5) or BCI602 (n=7) implant.
- Audiological assessments included sound field audiometry, functional gain, speech recognition threshold (SRT50), speech recognition in noise (SPRINT), and localization abilities.
- Subjective hearing outcomes were measured using the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12).
Main Results:
- Both BCI601 and BCI602 provided significant functional gain and improvements in SRT50 and SPRINT.
- Localization abilities improved substantially in children implanted with both BCI601 and BCI602.
- Subjective outcomes significantly improved, exceeding those of age- and sex-matched normal-hearing peers. One case of retroauricular emphysema was successfully managed.
Conclusions:
- The Bonebridge implant, in both BCI601 and BCI602 generations, offers substantial audiological benefits for children.
- The safety profile is high, with significant improvements in hearing abilities and quality of life reported by pediatric users.
- Bonebridge is a comfortable and effective solution for hearing rehabilitation in pediatric populations.
Purpose:
The study aimed to evaluate audiological benefits, quality of hearing and safety of two Bonebridge generation: BCI601 and BCI602 (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) in children.
Methods:
Twelve children were implanted: five BCI601 and seven BCI602 comprising of ten conductive hearing loss, and two single sided deaf SSD subjects. Audiological outcomes tested were sound field audiometry, functional gain, speech recognition threshold (SRT50), speech recognition in noise (SPRINT) and localisation abilities. Subjective measures were Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12).
Results:
The mean FG with the BCI601 was 25.0 dB and with the BCI602 28.0 dB. The benefit in SRT50 was 23.2 dB and 33.8 dB, respectively. The mean benefit in SPRINT was 15% and 6.7% and the localisation ability improved from 33.3° to 16° and from 26.2° to 17.6°, respectively. The two SSD subjects reported a FG of 17 dB, a benefit in SRT50 of 22.5 and a benefit in SPRINT of 20%. Subjective outcomes improved significantly and even exceeded the values of their age-and sex matched normal hearing peers. One revision was reported: a retroauricular emphysema above the implant occurred 12 months post-OP, it was resolved operatively with the implant still being functional.
Conclusion:
The pediatric cohort reports significant audiological benefit, even exceeding that of the age- and sex matched control. The combination of the high safety and audiological benefit makes the Bonebridge a comfortable and effective option in hearing rehabilitation in children.
