First Pediatric Experience With a Novel, Adhesive Adapter Retained, Bone Conduction Hearing Aid System.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the audiological outcomes, practicalities, and impact on quality of life of a new, nonimplantable, adhesive retained bone conduction hearing aid in children.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective, single-subject repeat measure, cohort study.

SETTING

Community and in pediatric assessment center.

PATIENTS

Twenty-one children aged between 5 and 15 years with a conductive hearing loss of >/=25 dB HL in the better hearing ear.

INTERVENTION

Audiological comparisons were made using pure-tone thresholds; unaided, with a softband aid, and with the new adhesive retained bone conducting system.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comparison of hearing threshold levels. Data analysis via paired t-testing, significance set at p value <0.01. Quality of life was assessed via the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory and a 10 cm linear analogue scale. A hearing aid review questionnaire provided insight into practical use.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvement in thresholds of 7.3 dB HL (p=0.0001) was demonstrated with the adhesive system as compared with softband aids. After 4 weeks of usage, the mean hearing thresholds for the adhesive hearing system improved from 55 dB HL ± 2.4 to 31 dB HL± 7.9 in unaided and aided conditions.Improvements in QOL were demonstrated with LAS and GCBI. Four children reported mild skin reactions. Eighty-six percent reported improved self-confidence.

CONCLUSION

The adhesive aid produces comparable audiological results to the commercial softband hearing aids. It provides an excellent alternative in the treatment of conductive hearing loss without the possible complications and costs of a surgical intervention. Furthermore, it preserves skin envelope over the mastoid for those who wish to proceed with an autologous pinna reconstruction in the future.