Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025
Sound Source Localization Testing in Single-sided Deafness Following Bone Conduction Intervention
Published on: December 20, 2024
Hearing-Related Quality of Life in 75 Patients With a Percutaneous Bone Conduction Device
Coosje Jacoba Isabella Caspers1, Rik Chrétien Nelissen1,2, Hans J M M Groenewoud3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Donders Center for Neurosciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen.
Objective:
To evaluate long-term hearing-related quality of life (HRQoL) and device use in bone conduction (BCD) users. Furthermore, to assess differences between indications and changes in HRQoL over time.
Study Design:
Prospective questionnaire survey.
Setting:
Tertiary referral center.
Patients:
Seventy-five patients with a percutaneous BCD.
Main Outcome Measures:
Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) at 3 and 12 months postoperatively, Glasgow Health Status Inventory (GHSI) preoperatively, and 6 and 36 months postoperatively, device use at 6, 12, and 36 months. Changes over time were assessed and outcomes were compared between indications.
Results:
After implantation, 97% of all patients reported a positive benefit on the GBI total. The GHSI total had improved with median 15 points (Interquartile range [IQR] 12). At 36 months, median device use was 15 hours/day (IQR 10) and one nonuser was reported. Patients with bilateral hearing loss (BHL) showed greater improvement on the GHSI total (median 18 vs 14, p < 0.0001) and used their devices more frequently (median 16 vs 8 h/day, p < 0.0001) than patients with unilateral HL (UHL). Postoperative GHSI and GBI scores were consistent over time, in the entire patient population and for every indication. Between 6 and 36 months, device use was stable over time, except for patients with single-sided deafness (SSD; median -6.4 h/day, p = 0.009).
Conclusion:
The BCD improves HRQoL in patients with BHL, in patients with unilateral conductive/mixed hearing loss and in patients with SSD. Patients with BHL experienced a greater improvement in hearing status compared to patients with UHL. Although use decreased over time in SSD patients, device use was high for every indication.
