Abstract
The objective of this study is to determine the auditory gain, quality of life, audiological benefits, in bone-anchored hearing device users (BAHA). It is a retrospective and concurrent evaluation of thirty patients fitted unilaterally and seven fitted bilaterally for at least six months. Patients were assessed with audiometric testing and application of Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB). Regarding sound-field pure audiometry results, we found a statistically significant gain in all frequencies using the bone-anchored device. APHAB scores showed statistically significant subjective audiological gains in all subscales except for the aversiveness subscale. GBI mean scores for all items in both groups were all above 3, suggesting quality of life improvement in conductive and mixed hearing loss patients. BP100 users showed a greater clinical gain in the APHAB global score and subscales compared with Divino users. In conclusion the BAHA provides significant auditory gain, subjective audiological benefits and improves quality of life in all BAHA users. This study shows a significant clinical and statistical benefit of BAHA measured by audiometric testing and by the APHAB and GBI questionnaires.
Highlights
The Bone Anchored Hearing Aid, (BAHA) based on the concept of osseointegration coined by Branemark et al [1], consists in stimulating the cochlea by bone-conducted transmission
In 1977 Tjellstrom [3] presents the first three patients with conductive hearing loss implanted with a hearing aid transducer coupled directly to a percutaneous titanium implant, establishing the beginning of osseointegration in otology [3]-[5]
This is a retrospective and concurrent study conducted in an otologic referral center (Otolaryngology Department, Hospital Universitario, Fundación Santafé, (FSFB), Bogotá, Colombia). 37 patients were evaluated with the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) questionnaires, and 32 patients with audiometric testing, which includes 25 patients fitted with unilateral BAHA and 7 fitted with bilateral BAHA (39 ears), between 2003 and 2011
Summary
The Bone Anchored Hearing Aid, (BAHA) based on the concept of osseointegration coined by Branemark et al [1], consists in stimulating the cochlea by bone-conducted transmission. In 1977 Tjellstrom [3] presents the first three patients with conductive hearing loss implanted with a hearing aid transducer coupled directly to a percutaneous titanium implant, establishing the beginning of osseointegration in otology [3]-[5]. In the surgery for congenital hearing defects, even in very experienced hands, the outcomes are difficult to predict and high complications rates still remain [6]-[8]. In these groups of patients, BAHAS are a solution
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