Audiological and Subjective Benefit Results in Bone-Anchored Hearing Device Users

Abstract

Audiological and subjective benefits in adult bone-anchored hearing device users. Retrospective evaluation. Tertiary referral center. Thirty-eight adult subjects fitted with unilateral bone-anchored hearing device. Audiometric measurements included sound-field pure-tone and speech audiometries (speech reception threshold, maximum speech discrimination). Subjective benefit was assessed by the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire. Ipsilateral and contralateral hearing loss was considered. Comparison was drawn between Compact, Divino, and Intenso processors. To compare sound-field pure-tone and speech audiometries and APHAB results with and without the device adjusted for the unaided results. With the device, sound-field pure-tone audiometry results revealed an increase gain in all frequencies. Sound-field speech audiometry showed that the mean threshold of speech recognition was 20 dB lower, maximum discrimination was attained at 5 dB less, and percentage of maximum discrimination increased by 5%. Scores in the APHAB questionnaire decreased except for the aversiveness subscale. Auditory-adjusted gain showed greater benefit in subjects with ipsilateral conductive hearing loss.Subjects with contralateral normal hearing or conductive hearing loss showed greater improvement that those with contralateral mixed or sensorineural hearing loss. There were no differences between Compact, Divino and Intenso processors. When comparisons are adjusted for unaided condition, the bone-anchored hearing device provided auditory and subjective benefit in subjects with ipsilateral conductive hearing loss and contralateral normal hearing or conductive hearing loss. It gave marginal benefit in ipsilateral mixed and contralateral mixed or sensorineural hearing loss. No differences were found between the Compact, Intenso, and Divino processors.