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A new more powerful bone-anchored hearing aid: first results
C T van der Pouw1, P Carlsson, C W Cremers
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands. c.vanderpouw@kno.azn.nl
Scandinavian Audiology
|September 5, 1998
Summary
The new BAHA cordelle bone-anchored hearing aid shows improved high-frequency hearing and better speech recognition for sensorineural hearing loss patients. Most users preferred the BAHA cordelle over their previous device.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) are used for sensorineural hearing loss.
- Existing BAHA devices have limitations in high-frequency amplification.
- Long-term BAHA users provide valuable feedback on new technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the new BAHA cordelle in patients with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss.
- To compare the BAHA cordelle with the previously used BAHA superbass.
- To assess subjective user preference for the new device.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study involving seven subjects with prior BAHA superbass experience.
- Measurement of free-field thresholds and speech recognition with both devices.
- Subjective assessment using a questionnaire on speech recognition and device preference.
Main Results:
- BAHA cordelle demonstrated superior aided thresholds in the high-frequency range.
- Six out of seven subjects showed significant improvement in speech recognition scores.
- Aided speech recognition scores were better with the BAHA cordelle for most participants.
Conclusions:
- The BAHA cordelle offers enhanced high-frequency audibility.
- The new device significantly improves speech recognition in many users with sensorineural hearing loss.
- User preference favored the BAHA cordelle, indicating potential for improved hearing rehabilitation.