Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2025
Sound Source Localization Testing in Single-sided Deafness Following Bone Conduction Intervention
Published on: December 20, 2024
Comparison of treatment modalities for single-sided deafness in paediatric patients
M Kubina1, B Fornwalt2, S Patel1
1Department of the College of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, USA.
Insights
This review compared bone conduction devices and cochlear implants for children with single-sided deafness. Both treatments improved sound perception and quality of life, but more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Hearing Rehabilitation
Background:
- Single-sided deafness (SSD) in children lacks a clear best practice for treatment.
- Clinical recommendations for pediatric SSD are inconsistent.
- This review addresses the need for evidence-based guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and compare treatments for pediatric SSD.
- To evaluate outcomes of bone conduction devices (BCDs) and cochlear implantation (CI).
- To support the use of a specific treatment modality based on evidence.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review from January 2000 to February 2022.
- Comparison of outcomes for BCDs and CI in pediatric SSD patients.
- Analysis of 15 studies involving 202 patients.
Main Results:
- Both BCDs and CI demonstrated benefits in speech reception (quiet and noise).
- Quality of life measures improved with both BCDs and CI.
- Sound perception enhancements were observed with both interventions.
Conclusions:
- Both BCDs and CI offer significant improvements for pediatric SSD.
- Further research with direct comparative studies is required.
- More decisive evidence is needed to establish a definitive best practice.
Objective:
Children with single-sided deafness often receive inconsistent clinical recommendations because there is currently no clear best practice in paediatric single-sided deafness. This systematic review of the literature aimed to compare commonly used treatments and attempted to support the use of a particular treatment modality.
Method:
This was a comprehensive literature review from 1 January 2000 to 22 February 2022; the study compared the outcomes of bone conduction devices and cochlear implantation in paediatric patients with single-sided deafness.
Results:
Fifteen studies consisting of 202 patients were examined. Variables including speech reception in quiet and noise, as well as quality of life measures were compared. Both cochlear implantation and bone-anchored hearing aids demonstrated benefits in sound perception. Quality of life measures improved with both modalities.
Conclusion:
Although both bone-anchored hearing aids and cochlear implantation appear to provide significant improvements, additional research with more direct comparisons is needed to provide more decisive results.
