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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
09:44
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Audiologic results for the bone-anchored hearing aid HC220
E A Mylanus1, A F Snik, F F Jorritsma
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Nijmegen.
Ear and Hearing
|February 1, 1994
Summary
The super-bass bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) HC220 showed comparable or better speech recognition than conventional bone conduction aids for severe hearing loss. However, results were mixed when compared to air conduction hearing aids.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Severe mixed hearing loss presents unique challenges for auditory rehabilitation.
- Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) offer an alternative for patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss.
- Previous hearing aid technologies may lead to patient complaints or complications like otorrhoea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the "super-bass" bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) HC220 in patients with severe mixed hearing loss.
- To compare the HC220's performance against conventional bone conduction hearing aids and air conduction hearing aids.
- To assess speech recognition in quiet and noisy environments with the new BAHA device.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-six patients with severe mixed hearing loss (57-108 dB HL) were fitted with the BAHA HC220.
- Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=19) previously used conventional bone conduction aids, and Group II (n=7) previously used air conduction aids.
- Sound field speech audiometry was used to assess maximum phoneme scores and speech recognition in noise.
Main Results:
- In Group I, 12 out of 19 patients showed improved maximum phoneme scores with the HC220 compared to their previous bone conduction aid.
- In Group II, speech audiometry results were mixed, with 3 patients improving, 3 worsening, and 1 unchanged compared to their air conduction aid.
- Seven out of 10 patients demonstrated significant improvement in speech recognition in noise with the HC220 compared to their previous hearing aid.
Conclusions:
- The BAHA HC220 demonstrates comparable or superior performance to conventional bone conduction hearing aids for severe mixed hearing loss.
- The device's effectiveness compared to air conduction hearing aids is less clear and warrants further investigation.
- The BAHA HC220 shows promise for improving speech recognition, particularly in noisy conditions, for specific patient groups.
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