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Abstract
Bone-anchored hearing devices have evolved over recent years. This article provides an overview of the device history, indications, evolution of surgical technique, evidence for benefit and focuses on the challenges that are faced in the pediatric population.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Bone-anchored hearing devices (BAHD) have evolved considerably in design since they were first used and are now fitted with the latest hearing aid technology.
Indications include unilateral/bilateral conductive hearing loss, unilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss and mixed hearing loss. They are particularly useful in hearing rehabilitation in children with external ear malformations.
A bone conduction hearing device on a headband is useful in predicting benefit from BAHD surgery and is also a valuable method of aiding children too young for BAHD surgery.
BAHD surgery in children has unique challenges.
The main complications include skin and soft-tissue reactions which in severe cases can lead to implant extrusion.
The introduction of transcutaneous devices had made BAHDs cosmetically more appealing compared to the traditional skin-penetrating percutaneous device; however practical issues such as MRI compatibility need to be considered.
A multidisciplinary team for pediatric BAHD is essential.