Functional gain and speech understanding obtained by Vibrant Soundbridge or by open-fit hearing aid

Abstract

Conclusion: There is no significant difference in speech recognition scores obtained with the Vibrant Soundbridge and the open-fit hearing aid. However, the Vibrant Soundbridge may be superior to open-fit hearing aids in improving hearing at high frequencies (4–8 kHz). Objectives: To assess whether an improvement in speech recognition conferred by Vibrant Soundbridge is more marked than that afforded by open-fit hearing aids in patients with sloping high frequency sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Methods: This study had a self-control prospective design. Seven patients aged 21–62 years with sloping high frequency SNHL were recruited into the study. Each patient received a Vibrant Soundbridge middle ear implant (Vibrant MED-EL) and wore an open-fit hearing aid (Danavox, DOT 10). Speech recognition tests were performed according to protocols suggested by árpád Götze's speech definition test in Hungarian language. In the first session, conventional hearing thresholds (unaided pure tone thresholds) were measured. In the second session, the aided sound-field threshold, speech understanding score and functional gain obtained using middle ear implants and open-fit hearing aids were determined after programming of the devices. Results: Regarding speech recognition scores, there were no significant differences between data obtained with the middle ear implant and those with the open-fit hearing aid.

Keywords::

• Middle ear implant
• sloping high frequency sensorineural hearing loss
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Hungarian National Research Fund (OTKA K 81480) and the Hungarian Social Renewal Fund (TAMOP 4.2.1).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.