First Experience With a New Active Bone Conduction Device in Pediatric Patients

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the feasibility, surgical safety, and early audiological benefit of the new active transcutaneous bone conduction implant Sentio in pediatric patients.

Retrospective case series.

Seven children (8 ears), aged 3.6 to 9.7 years, underwent implantation of a Sentio system between December 2024 and March 2025 for congenital aural atresia (6 ears) or single-sided deafness due to cochlear nerve aplasia (2 ears).

All surgeries were completed successfully using the Sentio Ti Implant. Limited exposure of the dura, sigmoid sinus, and/or mastoid air cells occurred during bone-bed preparation, but there was no laceration, bleeding, cerebrospinal fluid leak, compression, or clinical sequela. No perioperative or postoperative adverse events occurred through initial fitting. Bone conduction thresholds remained stable postoperatively, confirming preservation of cochlear reserve. Mean Sentio-aided free-field thresholds were 22.5, 20.0, 18.6, and 18.6 dB HL at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, respectively. Word recognition scores at initial fitting averaged 96.3% in all patients (range: 85-100%) at a conversational level of 65 dB SPL. The relatively flat transducer and flexible band fixation facilitated safe implantation in young children with thin cranial bone.

Sentio Ti implantation was technically feasible in this selected cohort, with no clinical adverse events through initial fitting and favorable early aided outcomes. Larger prospective studies with standardized testing and longer follow-up are required to assess long-term safety, skull growth, implant stability, MRI-related limitations, and sustained benefit.