Application of Gel to the Transducer of Cartilage Conduction Hearing Aids Improves Their Benefits

Abstract

Gel is a conduction medium used to improve signal transmission and is applied in ultrasonography to obtain high-quality images; however, it is rarely used in hearing devices. The application of gel to couple the transducer to the ear could potentially improve the benefits of hearing aids, particularly cartilage conduction (CC) hearing aids, which deliver signals by vibration. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of gel application on the efficacy of CC hearing aids in 23 patients (30 ears). The aided thresholds, maximum speech recognition scores (SRSs), and hearing level at which the maximum SRS was observed were compared before and after the application of gel to the transducer of CC hearing aids. Subjective impressions of hearing improvement, on applying the gel, were also evaluated. The aided thresholds above 1 kHz significantly improved on applying the gel to the transducer. The effectiveness of gel application was better for patients who reported improvement in hearing. The audiometric results were consistent with subjective evaluations. The application of gel has minimal risk, and its benefits can be verified easily with subjective evaluation. Gel application can be considered an effective option for improving the benefits of CC hearing aids.

A Systematic Review of the Audiological Efficacy of Cartilage Conduction Hearing Aids and the Factors Influencing Their Clinical Application

“…A summary of the characteristics in the 12 included studies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] is shown in Table 2 . There was a total of 447 patients with various peripheral auditory disorders (excluding those from study [ 24 ] due to overlapping participant groups with study [ 20 ]).…”

“…As a result, 12 eligible papers were included in the review (Figure 2). A summary of the characteristics in the 12 included studies [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] is shown in Table 2. There was a total of 447 patients with various peripheral auditory disorders (excluding those from study [24] due to overlapping participant groups with study [20]).…”

“…The total number of male participants was 257 (57.5%), and the total number of female participants was 190 (42.5%). As shown in Table 2, the majority of studies (10/12, 83.3%) were conducted A summary of the characteristics in the 12 included studies [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] is shown in Table 2. There was a total of 447 patients with various peripheral auditory disorders (excluding those from study [24] due to overlapping participant groups with study [20]).…”