Abstract
PurposeTo evaluate the long-term audiological outcomes and safety of the latest generation of middle ear transducer (MET) among a group of Polish patients.MethodsTen patients aged 48–72 years with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (n = 8) and mixed hearing loss (n = 2) were included in this study. Pure tone audiometry, sound thresholds, word recognition scores in quiet and speech reception thresholds in noise were assessed. Medical and technical complication information was gathered.ResultsAll the patients underwent unilateral implantation with the latest generation Cochlear MET between 2014 and 2016. Mean length of follow-up was 3.7 years. Compared to the unaided condition, the implant provided significant functional gain (mean M = 26.1 dB) at 12 months follow-up. Compared to before surgery, average word recognition in quiet at 65 dB and at 80 dB SPL, as well as speech reception threshold in noise, were significantly better at 12 months. However, postoperative air conduction thresholds 6 months after implantation worsened by 10.3 dB (standard deviation SD = 5.8 dB). Postoperatively, three patients had skin problems around the processor, and one of them completely resigned from using the device 5 months after activation. Technical failures occurred in 4 cases. There were 9 out of 10 patients who still used the MET, but only 5 of them used the processor regularly (every day).ConclusionDespite changes in the transducer implemented by the manufacturer, we observed a significant number of adverse events in users of the latest generation of MET.
Highlights
In dealing with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), conventional hearing aids are the first choice [1]
Some partially implantable devices can be used for the rehabilitation of hearing loss: Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB, Med-El, Insbruck, Austria); Middle Ear Transducer (MET, Otologics LLC, Boulder, CO, U.S.A. and recently Cochlear Ltd., Sydney, NSW, Australia); and
Two patients systematically used the hearing aids (HAs) before the implantation and they continued using them after surgery
Summary
In dealing with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), conventional hearing aids (in-the-ear or behind-the-ear) are the first choice [1]. An alternative option is the semi-implantable active middle ear implant (AMEI). AMEIs have been reported to have better sound quality than conventional HAs [6], and since they bypass the external ear canal, they can be the right solution for patients with chronic external otitis [2]. Some partially implantable devices can be used for the rehabilitation of hearing loss: Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB, Med-El, Insbruck, Austria); Middle Ear Transducer (MET, Otologics LLC, Boulder, CO, U.S.A. and recently Cochlear Ltd., Sydney, NSW, Australia); and. In contrast to the VSB implant, which has been used in Poland since 2003 [8,9,10,11,12], the MET system is a relatively new solution
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