Functional Results and Subjective Benefit of a Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Device in Patients With Single-Sided Deafness.

OBJECTIVE To analyze speech discrimination scores and subjective benefit of a transcutaneous bone conduction device (tBCD) in adults with single-sided deafness (SSD). STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Nine adults with SSD for more than 1 year and normal hearing on the contralateral side (PTA <30 dB HL) were implanted with a tBCD. INTERVENTIONS Transmastoidal implantation of a Bonebridge (BB, MED-EL) tBCD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Aided and unaided speech discrimination scores in three different spatial settings were measured using the Oldenburg sentence test (OLSA). Quality of life was assessed by two questionnaires, the Bern Benefit in Single Sided Deafness Questionnaire (BBSS) and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale for benefit questionnaire (SSQ-B). RESULTS Speech discrimination scores measured by OLSA showed a mean signal-to-noise ratio improvement of 1.7 dB SPL for the aided condition compared with the unaided condition in the setting where the sound signal is presented on the side of the implanted ear and the noise is coming from the front (p < 0.05). In the other two settings (signal and noise from front; signal from normal hearing ear and noise from front), the signal-to-noise ratio did not change significantly. This benefit became manifest after 6 months. Good satisfaction was indicated by positive results on the questionnaires. CONCLUSION Speech discrimination in noise for patients implanted with the BB is comparable with patients with other bone conduction hearing aids. A learning curve is clearly detectable. The subjective benefit was rated positively by the patients. With the advantage of intact skin conditions after implantation, the BB is an adequate option for patients with SSD.