Bone-Anchored and Closed Skin Bonebridge Implant in Adults: Hearing Performances and Quality of Life.

INTRODUCTION

Bonebridge® is a novel active bone-anchored hearing implant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ease of implantation, the hearing performances, and the patient-reported benefit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective cross-sectional study of 24 consecutive adult patients implanted for a mixed hearing loss (13 chronic otitis media (COM) and 11 other aetiologies). Twenty-one implants were placed in the retrosigmoid position and 3 in the mastoid. Audiometry, Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire, as well as 5 implant-specific questions (analogue visual scale [AVS] 0-10 score), was administered.

RESULTS

Surgery lasted 73 ± 29.7 min on average. No major complication occurred. All patients were users at the last follow-up visit (median: 9-month range: 3-25). The average prosthetic gain was similar in COM and other aetiologies (43 ± 4.8 dB and 50 ± 7.2, respectively, not significant, Wilcoxon test). Bone-conduction thresholds were not deteriorated by surgery (Kruskal-Wallis test, not significant). APHAB scores improved in all categories except aversiveness (global score 45 ± 7.0% in COM and 32 ± 10.2% in others, not significant, and Wilcoxon test). Local pain (AVS: 3.23 ± 3.2, n = 16) and manipulation difficulties (3.1 ± 3.69) were low. The device was considered aesthetic (8.3 ± 2.49). Perfectible autonomy (5.0 ± 2.8) and difficulties wearing the implant during sport or at work (5.1 ± 3.47) were the weakest points.

CONCLUSIONS

BoneBridge® implant provides reproducible results for the rehabilitation of mixed hearing losses and unilateral hearing loss.