Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany.
Am J Audiol. 2022 Jun 2;31(2):261-267. doi: 10.1044/2022_AJA-21-00208. Epub 2022 Apr 26.
The Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) active middle ear implant can be used to treat adults and children with hearing loss. Intraoperative measurements based on auditory brainstem response (ABR) allow the determination of the implant's performance. Two methods for stimulus presentation during ABR measurements via VSB will be compared.
ABRs were measured in patients implanted with a VSB using a standard ABR system. The stimulus was transmitted directly to the VSB using a new transmission unit (AcoustiAP, MED-EL) and for comparison via a standard audio processor coupled to a wireless streaming device. The study included 10 subjects with mild-to-profound sensorineural, conductive, or mixed hearing loss.
As opposed to the wireless method, the AcoustiAP transmits the ABR stimulus without additional signal processing. Therefore, only minor distortions of the transmitted signal are to be expected. There was no significant difference between the performance of the two methods (mean wave V amplitudes 313 [75.2] vs. 301 [88.2] nVpp). In addition, the new system allowed for a more stable connection to the implant system.
The AcoustiAP is a valuable tool for performing ABR measurements in patients during VSB implantation using standard equipment, as it allows for easier and more controlled measurements of the coupling efficiency of the implant.
Vibrant Soundbridge（VSB）主动中耳植入物可用于治疗听力损失的成人和儿童。基于听脑干反应（ABR）的术中测量可确定植入物的性能。将比较两种用于 VSB 下 ABR 测量的刺激呈现方法。
使用标准 ABR 系统在植入 VSB 的患者中测量 ABR。使用新的传输单元（AcoustiAP，MED-EL）直接将刺激传输到 VSB，并通过与无线流媒体设备耦合的标准音频处理器进行比较。该研究包括 10 名患有轻度至重度感觉神经性、传导性或混合性听力损失的受试者。
与无线方法不同，AcoustiAP 在传输 ABR 刺激时无需额外的信号处理。因此，预计只会有轻微的传输信号失真。两种方法的性能没有显著差异（平均波 V 幅度 313 [75.2] vs. 301 [88.2] nVpp）。此外，新系统允许更稳定地连接到植入系统。
AcoustiAP 是在使用标准设备植入 VSB 期间对患者进行 ABR 测量的有价值工具，因为它允许更轻松、更受控地测量植入物的耦合效率。
