Active Bone Conduction System: Outcomes with the Bonebridge Transcutaneous Device

Abstract

Objective: To describe our experience with positioning the Bonebridge (BB) device, a semi-implantable transcutaneous bone conduction implant for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss as well as for those suffering from single-sided deafness. Methods: The following is a retrospective case review of 4 adults suffering from conductive or mixed hearing loss and single-sided deafness. The BB device was implanted unilaterally via 2 different approaches selected case by case: the presigmoid transmastoid and the retrosigmoid approach. An audiological evaluation in the free field was conducted to observe the functional benefit with this device. The Glasgow Health Status Inventory (GHSI) and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) questionnaires were filled out to evaluate patients' quality of life in relationship to the intervention. Results: No intra- or postoperative complications were observed. The performance in the speech test in all 4 cases reached 100% in the aided condition at 65 dB, while in the unaided condition at 65 dB, it was less than 10%. The GHSI and GBI questionnaires showed an improvement in quality of life after implantation. Conclusions: The BB device is a safe and effective solution for individuals with pathologies such as chronic otitis media, atresia auris and otosclerosis with inadequate benefit from conventional surgery or bone conduction hearing aids.

Patient satisfaction after auditory implant surgery: ten-year experience from a single implanting unit center

“…The Bonebridge V R implant is a semi-implantable, transcutaneous BCI device, recently introduced in clinical practice, that is composed of an internal, implantable part, completely under the skin, coupled to an external audio-processor. Its use has been associated to an improvement of quality-of-life regarding social and physical health in patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss [16,17].…”

Bonebridge Implantation for Conductive Hearing Loss in a Patient with Oval Window Atresia

“…In addition, the active vibrating part, known as the floating mass transducer (FMT), is also implanted. This ensures that the Bonebridge hearing system provides more bone conduction gains than the gains of passive bone conduction devices [7,8] . Because FMT is bigger than other devices in the market, making enough bony space for the device can be challenging, particularly in children or patients who underwent previous mastoid surgeries [10] .…”

“…Favorable hearing outcomes have been reported with the use of Bonebridge in patients with conductive hearing loss [7,8] . However, there have been no reports of Bonebridge implantation for patients with conductive hearing loss due to oval window atresia.…”

Outcomes after Bonebridge Implantation: Audiological Benefits and Health Related Quality of Life

“…Direct-drive BCI offers acoustic and aesthetic benefits compare to other bone conduction devices [9]. The BB avoids the most common problems presented by traditional hearing aid as local irritation, itching and headaches caused by the pressure that must be necessarily applied by the transducer behind the ear [10,11]. The position of BB was determined under the evaluation of a preoperative CT images in relation to the anatomical structures and their possible anomalies.…”