Transcutaneous bone conductive implants in patients with conductive/mixed hearing loss: audiological outcomes in noise condition

Abstract

Background: Recently, the use of transcutaneous bone conduction implants (BCIs) has been increased. However, scarce data about BCI hearing recovery in noise conditions have been reported.

Objectives: To investigate the audiological benefits obtained with transcutaneous BCI-Sophono Alpha System in noise conditions. To evaluate post-implantation clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction levels.

Materials and methods: Fourteen patients suffering from conductive or mixed hearing loss implanted with the Sophono Alpha System were evaluated. Patients underwent physical examination, free-field pure-tone and speech audiometry both in unaided and aided conditions. The matrix sentence test was employed with fixed noise at 65 dB, and with a fluctuating primary signal, in three different conditions of noise presentations (S0/N0, S0/Ncontra, S0/Nipsi).

Results: Hearing gain, expressed as the difference between pre-implant AC and post-implant SAS free field, was on average 26.7 dB. The unaided speech recognition score in quiet conditions had a mean value of 64.6%, and improved after SAS implantation, achieving mean values of 98.2%. SRT₅₀ with the matrix sentence test improved in all three conditions of noise presentation.

Conclusions: Sophono Alpha System devices represent a valid treatment option for hearing rehabilitation of patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss. The audiological results regarding hearing gain in noise conditions were good.

Chinese abstract

背景：最近, 经皮骨传导植入物（BCI）的使用增加了。然而, 关于BCI在噪声条件下听力恢复的资料鲜有报道。

目标：调查经皮BCI-Sophono Alpha系统在噪声条件下获得的听力增益。评估植入后临床结果和患者满意度。

材料和方法：评估14名患有传导性或混合性听力丧失, 植入Sophono Alpha系统的患者。患者在独立和辅助条件下进行了体格检查, 即自由场纯音和言语测听。在三种不同的噪声呈现条件下（S0 / N0, S0 / Ncontra, S0 / Nipsi）, 进行了固定噪声为65 dB、主信号波动状态下的矩阵句测试。

结果：听力增益表示为植入前AC与植入后SAS自由场之间的差异, 平均为26.7 dB。安静条件下的无植入语音识别得分平均值为64.6％, SAS植入后得到改善, 平均值为98.2％。 SRT50的矩阵句测试在所有三种噪声呈现条件下得到了改进。

结论：Sophono Alpha系统设备是传导性或混合性听力丧失患者的听力康复治疗的有效选择。噪音条件下听力增益的听力学结果良好。

Keywords:

• Transcutaneous bone conductive implants
• Sophono Alpha System
• Conductive hearing loss
• Hearing aid

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.