Quality of life in children with active middle ear implants: A Scoping Review

Active middle ear implants (AMEIs), particularly the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), are established treatment options for children with conductive or mixed hearing loss when conventional devices are insufficient or poorly tolerated. While audiological outcomes are well documented, evidence on health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in pediatric patients remains limited.

This scoping review aimed to map and summarize existing evidence on HrQoL in children and adolescents fitted with AMEIs.

A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. PubMed and Web of Science were searched in October and November 2025. Qualitative and quantitative studies assessing HrQoL in children and adolescents (0-18 years) with AMEIs were included. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers.

Four studies met the inclusion criteria, mainly involving preschool and school-aged children implanted with the VSB due to congenital or unilateral aural atresia. AMEI use was associated with improved auditory performance and positive patient- or parent-reported outcomes. HrQoL was assessed using generic (e.g., KINDL-R) and hearing-specific instruments (e.g., SSQ12, APHAB). Reported benefits included better communication, social participation, emotional well-being, and high device acceptance. Long-term data indicated stable audiological and subjective outcomes. However, studies were few, sample sizes small, and outcome measures heterogeneous.

Current evidence suggests that AMEIs can positively affect hearing-related quality of life in children, extending beyond audiological benefit to psychosocial domains. Nevertheless, the evidence base is limited and methodologically heterogeneous. Future studies should apply standardized, validated pediatric HrQoL instruments and longitudinal designs to better capture developmental and everyday-life impacts.