Long-Term Patient Satisfaction and Surgical Outcomes With Sophono Implants: A Single-Institution Experience

Objectives Percutaneous and transcutaneous bone conduction hearing implants are used in various otological conditions. This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with Sophono implants and their long-term surgical outcomes. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, between October 2022 and May 2023. Data on the demographics, implant details, patient perception of sound, usage time, and surgical complications were collected from the medical records. Categorical data are presented as frequencies, and numerical data are presented as percentages, ranges, and means. Results A total of 15 patients (nine men, six women) with 16 implants (one bilateral) were included. Participants' ages ranged from 14 to 69 years (mean: 38.6 years). All patients used the device infrequently for various reasons, including feedback, retention, and background noise (11, 8, and 9 patients, respectively). Two patients reported pain at the implantation site after one hour of usage despite adjusting the magnet power. One patient (6.25%) experienced major surgical complications requiring reoperation, and most patients required alternative hearing aids. Discussion Sophono implants are passive transcutaneous implants that offer cosmetic advantages and lower skin complications than percutaneous implants. Our findings on the surgical safety profile of Sophono implants are consistent with those reported in the literature. However, in contrast to our study results, most previous studies have reported favorable quality of life and sound perception, especially in long-term users. Conclusion Patient satisfaction and audiological benefits of Sophono implants are suboptimal, and the effect on patient satisfaction is questionable.