Clinical experience with the bone-anchored hearing aid

Patients operated on for chronic otitis media sometimes have problems with persistent discharge from the ear when using a conventional hearing aid with an ear mould located in the ear canal. A new technique where a hearing aid for bone-conducted sound is mounted on an osseointegrated titanium screw located in the mastoid area is available. The method was evaluated in a routine clinical setting outside the centre of development. Eight patients were fitted with the new hearing aid. All improved regarding the drainage from the ears. The patients were all very satisfied with the hearing results and with the hearing aid, from a practical as well as from a cosmetic point of view. No complications were noted during an observation period of minimum 12 months.