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Assessment Protocol for Candidates for Bone-Anchored Hearing Devices.
Cynthia Harumi Yokoyama Ueda1, Renata Marcial Soares1, Isabela Jardim1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
|November 21, 2022
Summary
This study characterized bone-anchored hearing device patients in Brazil, finding good audibility despite complications. Standardized protocols are needed for better outcomes with these advanced hearing solutions.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology and Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Public Health
Background:
- Advancements in bone-anchored hearing devices (BAHDs) are ongoing, yet complications remain a challenge, impacting patient adherence and treatment success.
- A significant gap exists in research from tropical regions, where complication rates may be higher, and standardized protocols for BAHDs are lacking.
- This study addresses the need for localized data and protocol evaluation in a Brazilian public healthcare setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patients who received bone-anchored hearing implants at a Brazilian public institution.
- To describe the medical and audiological assessment protocols used during patient selection and post-operative follow-up.
- To identify common complications and evaluate audiological outcomes in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Medical records of 15 patients with hearing loss and ear malformations who received BAHDs were retrospectively reviewed.
- The study documented patient demographics, implant type (transcutaneous vs. percutaneous), surgical complications, audiological test results, and follow-up procedures.
Main Results:
- Of 15 patients, 6 received transcutaneous and 9 percutaneous implants. Nine patients reported skin lesions, 2 experienced pain, and 3 had osseointegration failure.
- The time from surgery to device activation varied between 2 and 9 months.
- Median audiological test scores were 100% for sentences in quiet, 60% for sentences in noise, and 80% for monosyllables, indicating good performance in silence but challenges in noisy environments.
Conclusions:
- Patients receiving bone-anchored hearing implants at the institution were characterized, with audiological performance generally good in quiet conditions but reduced in noise.
- Despite experiencing complications, patients reported satisfaction with audibility and sound quality.
- Standardized assessment and follow-up protocols are crucial for optimizing outcomes and advancing the field of bone-anchored hearing devices, particularly in diverse geographical and clinical settings.
