Postoperative Benefit of Bone Anchored Hearing Systems: Behavioral Performance and Self-Reported Outcomes

Abstract

Introduction Bone anchored hearing solutions are a well-known option for patients with a conductive, mixed conductive-sensorineural hearing loss and those with single-sided deafness. Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Ponto bone-anchored hearing system in terms of behavioral performance and self-reported outcomes, by comparing unaided and aided performance (softband and abutment), as well as aided performance with the sound processor on softband (preoperatively) versus abutment (postoperatively). Methods Fourteen adult bone-anchored candidates, with either a bilateral (n = 12) or unilateral (n = 2) conductive or mixed hearing loss, participated in the present study. Sound-field hearing thresholds were evaluated unaided and aided (softband and abutment). A speech-in-noise test was also performed unaided and aided for two spatial configurations (S0N90; implanted side; S0N90; nonimplanted side). The Glasgow Health Status Inventory and the Speech, Spatial and Quality of sound questionnaires were administered pre- and postsurgery to compare quality of life and perceived unaided and aided performance. Skin reaction (Holgers scores) was evaluated at 15 days, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks after surgery. Results Significant improvements postoperatively relative to unaided were obtained for sound-field thresholds at all tested frequencies. Additionally, sound-field thresholds were significantly improved with the sound processor on abutment relative to the softband at frequencies > 1 kHz. Improved performance postoperatively relative to unaided was also obtained in the speech-in-noise test and in self-reported outcomes. Conclusions Improvements in behavioral performance and self-reported outcomes were obtained with the sound processor mounted on abutment.

Evaluation of the Benefits of Bilateral Fitting in Bone-Anchored Hearing System Users: Spatial Resolution and Memory for Speech

“…Other studies ( Kunst et al 2008 ; Bosman et al 2018 ; Cuda et al 2021 ; Bosman et al 2021 ) collected SSQ49 scores using a group of adult users—most of which were unilaterally implanted. The scores obtained by Bosman et al (2018 ) for the spatial factor of the SSQ49 ( Akeroyd et al 2014 ) were very similar to those obtained here (2.6 with an older sound processor and 3.9 with a newer superpower sound processor; 67% of the listeners were unilaterally fitted), as well as the SSQ49 scores obtained in the spatial scale by Cuda et al (2021 ) for a group of unilaterally fitted BAHS users (average score of 4.2). Kunst et al (2008 ) and Bosman et al (2021 ) reported higher mean scores for unilaterally fitted adult BAHS users, 6.8 and 5.1 in the spatial scale, respectively.…”

“…Caspers et al (2022) also collected SSQ scores on bilaterally implanted BAHS users (adults) but the data were not reported. Other studies (Kunst et al 2008; Bosman et al 2018; Cuda et al 2021; Bosman et al 2021) collected SSQ49 scores using a group of adult users—most of which were unilaterally implanted. The scores obtained by Bosman et al (2018) for the spatial factor of the SSQ49 (Akeroyd et al 2014) were very similar to those obtained here (2.6 with an older sound processor and 3.9 with a newer superpower sound processor; 67% of the listeners were unilaterally fitted), as well as the SSQ49 scores obtained in the spatial scale by Cuda et al (2021) for a group of unilaterally fitted BAHS users (average score of 4.2).…”