Multicenter Results With an Active Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implant in Patients With Single-sided Deafness

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neurosurgery
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Single-sided deafness (SSD) presents significant challenges in hearing rehabilitation.
• Traditional hearing aids are often ineffective for SSD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the audiological and subjective benefits of active bone conduction implants in adults with SSD.
• To assess the long-term efficacy of this hearing rehabilitation intervention.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, multicenter study with 17 adult subjects diagnosed with severe to profound unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
• Speech understanding in noise was measured with the signal originating from different directions.
• Subjective benefits were assessed using the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing (SSQ-B) and Bern Benefit in Single-Sided Deafness (BBSS) questionnaires.

Main Results:

• A statistically and clinically significant improvement in speech reception threshold in noise was observed when the signal came from the deaf side (1.5–2.2 dB improvement).
• No significant audiological benefit was found when the signal and noise originated from the front or the normal hearing side.
• Subjective questionnaires (SSQ-B and BBSS) indicated overall improvement in hearing quality and benefit.

Conclusions:

• Active bone conduction implants offer long-term efficacy and demonstrable benefit for adults with single-sided deafness.
• Patients experience substantial and persistent subjective improvements in their quality of life and hearing abilities.