Evaluation of Bone-Anchored Hearing Instruments in Chronic Otitis Media: A Multicenter Prospective Study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Chronic otitis media (COM) can lead to significant hearing loss and reduced quality of life.
• Surgical management of COM may not fully restore hearing function.
• Bone-anchored hearing instruments (BAHIs) offer a potential solution for hearing rehabilitation in complex otological cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of BAHIs in patients with COM.
• To assess improvements in hearing thresholds and quality of life using objective and subjective measures.
• To determine the stability of outcomes following BAHI rehabilitation in COM patients.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, prospective trial was conducted.
• Participants included patients with COM who underwent surgical treatment and BAHI rehabilitation.
• Assessments utilized the COM Questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12), Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ), WHO Quality of Life-BREF, and audiometric tests.

Main Results:

• Twenty-eight patients with an average COM duration of 20.1 years were included.
• Significant improvements were observed in COMQ-12, SSQ, WHO QoL-BREF scores, and audiometric tests.
• Results demonstrated stability during the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• BAHIs are effective in improving hearing thresholds for COM patients.
• BAHI rehabilitation enhances the quality of life for individuals with COM.
• The positive effects of BAHIs on hearing and quality of life are sustained over time.