gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: This study presents our experience and outcomes with the first eight patients we implanted hearing with this device.

Methods: Nine patients were implanted with a VSB in our department from 2006 to 2010. Seven of them had sensorineural hearing loss, while one case involved otosclerosis with mixed hearing loss. All patients received a VSB from Med-El.

Results: Eigth patients, age between 18 and 72, were implanted with the VSB’s floating mass transducer attached to the incus, while the patient with otosclerosis underwent implantation at the round window. Preoperative pure-tone audiograms, acoustic immittance and speech intelligibility tests were conducted on all patients. We then compared the preoperative and postoperative results. The postoperative PTA outcomes indicated no loss of residual hearing (only a mean=–3.85dB). After the implant was activated, pure-tone audiograms and speech tests were administered from time to time. Mean PTA have increased from a 60.20±2.80dB mean value to a 26.67±2.60dB mean value at 6 months after activation. Based on these results as well as the patient’s feedback, we were able to fit each patient’s processor for better hearing perception. All patients noticed improved high-frequency perception and clearer sound quality with the VSB than before the surgery when they used conventional hearing aids.

Conclusion: We have found the Vibrant Soundbridge middle ear implant to improve hearing in patients who are unsatisfied with or cannot wear conventional hearing aids for physical reasons, or who have low speech intelligibility in the high frequencies. The sound poor quality was the most important complains which help the patients to decide the surgery.