Objective and subjective results of the Bonebridge transcutaneous active direct-drive bone conduction hearing implant

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of a bone-anchored hearing implant system (Bonebridge implant technology) as a rehabilitation treatment for individuals with conductive or mixed hearing losses. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Twelve implanted ears with conductive or mixed hearing losses were implanted with this device at a tertiary university hospital between 2012 and 2016. Audiological tests included pure tone air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) measurements and unaided and aided sound-field thresholds. To evaluate the speech intelligibility in a quiet environment, the speech discrimination score (SDS) was tested using Arabic monosyllabic words, and the speech reception threshold (SRT) was measured using Arabic disyllabic words spoken in front of them. The subjective sound quality was assessed with the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI). Results: In comparison with the unaided condition, there was a significant improvement in the aided thresholds, SDS, and SRT. Comparing the aided and unaided thresholds, the average AC threshold improved with an average functional gain of 40±6.3dB. The unaided SRT improved from 72.5 dB hearing levels (HL)(median) to 27.5 dB HL (median) when aided, and patients performed 71% better, on average, based on the SDS with the help of the device. The HISQUI questionnaire revealed high satisfaction with the device sound quality. Conclusion: Patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss substantially benefit from the Bonebridge active transcutaneous BC hearing implant.

Evaluation of the Bonebridge BCI 602 active bone conductive implant in adults: efficacy and stability of audiological, surgical, and functional outcomes

“…No complications occurred during surgery. To determine the optimal implant position, all patients underwent a CT scan of the temporal bone before the operation and a detailed assessment of anatomical conditions (with analysis carried out with the Otoplan device) [ 20 , 24 ]. The surgery time ranged between 19 and 66 min (mean 28.3 min ± 9.4).…”

“…Sprinzlet al [ 25 ] demonstrated that BCI 601 implantation has a low rate of minor adverse events (5.12%) or of revision surgery (0.85%). In our study, after 1 year of BCI 602 use, no revision surgery and no skin reactions were reported [ 24 ].…”

“…Audiological studies and questionnaires, as well as the different courses of surgery, have been analyzed. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of the BCI 601 in patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss or with single-sided deafness [ 1 , 7 – 16 , 20 , 24 ]. In 2019, the second-generation BCI 602 implant was introduced.…”

Subjective Sound Quality Detection (HISQUI) over Time after Vibrant Soundbridge Implantation

“…A very important additional factor in determining the outcome of an intervention is patient satisfaction. Since no specific questionnaires for active middle ear implants exist, the HISQUI questionnaire was used because it has proven to be user-friendly and has been used to determine subjective auditory benefit in other implants, such as the Bonebridge hearing implant [ 7 ]. Despite good results in audiological tests, only 30% of our patients reported to have a good to very good hearing quality, 40% reported to have a moderate, and 30% reported to have a poor result.…”

“…The questionnaire consists of 19 questions describing every day listening situations [ 6 ]. As a user-friendly questionnaire, other authors have also used this tool to determine the subjective auditory benefit in other implants, such as the Bonebridge hearing implant [ 7 ].…”