Outcome of Vibrant Soundbridge Middle Ear Implant in Cantonese-Speaking Mixed Hearing Loss Adults

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate the aided benefits, speech recognition in quiet and in noise, change in hearing and subjective report of satisfaction on mixed hearing loss adults implanted with Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) middle ear implant.MethodsEight Cantonese speaking adult patients with mixed hearing loss were enrolled in a single-subject, repeated measures prospective study design. Audiometric testing, including air and bone conduction and word recognition under sound-field were conducted before surgery. Device activation was arranged 8 weeks after operation. Audiometric testing was taken to evaluate the change in hearing. Patients were asked to wear the device and come back for fine tuning as needed. Outcome measurements were undertaken at 3 and 6 months after device activation. The outcome measures included sound-field thresholds, Cantonese Hearing in Noise Test (CHINT), Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA).ResultsThe application of the VSB improved the aided thresholds and improved speech intelligibility in quiet and noise without significant changes in hearing thresholds.ConclusionVSB is considered as a safe, effective and reliable auditory rehabilitation option for Cantonese speaking adults with mixed hearing loss.

Safety and effectiveness of the Vibrant Soundbridge in treating conductive and mixed hearing loss: A systematic review

“…The functional gain of the VSB at 3 months ranged from 12.5 dB to 43.4 dB HL, averaging at 29.6 dB. Studies evaluating gain over time showed no change between 3 and 6 months and between 3 and 40 months …”

“…Nineteen articles were identified that investigated the effectiveness of the VSB. These included 16 single cohort before‐after studies, two concurrent cohort studies, and one nonrandomized clinical trial.…”

Pros and Cons of Round Window Vibroplasty in Open Cavities

“…Nevertheless, because QOL-HISQUI 29 Significant changes in self-reported QOL questionnaires were found in our study. Overall, patient satisfaction with the VSB was very good, suggesting that patients perceived system benefit in their daily life (24,26,27,30,31). Interestingly, our patients rated a mean HISQUI 29 score corresponding to ''very good'' sound quality.…”

Vibrant Soundbridge Rehabilitation of Conductive and Mixed Hearing Loss

“…29 Nevertheless, all studies on VSB in mixed or conductive hearing loss consistently report great improvements in terms of "functional gain" and speech recognition compared with the unaided situation, and hence the VSB can be considered a very effective treatment. 1,5,8,[28][29][30][31]33,36 Unfortunately, attempts to compare the hearing results of the VSB at conductive or mixed hearing loss with "best fitting" CHA in a convincing manner are rare. 1 A requirement for such studies is a prospective design with a detailed report of long-range systematic attempts for optimal fitting of CHA (with testing of multiple different types and brands).…”