gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) is a middle ear hearing implant originally intended for use in persons with mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss. In 2007 the indications for the device have been extended to include persons with conductive and mixed hearing losses. Special couplers were introduced for optimal energy transfer to the cochlea. New techniques were introduced for direct inner ear stimulation (Power-Stapes, vibrant DACS).

Methods: The present study investigated a group of subjects with conductive and mixed hearing losses (tympanosclrosis, otosclerosis) who received a VSB as a “power-stapes” or as a “Vibrant-DACS). Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and at regular intervals. The final observation interval was conducted after 6 months of VSB use.

Results: On average, aided word understanding improved with both applications by about 60% over the unaided condition with an average functional gain of approximately 20 to 40 dB across the frequency range 500 to 8,000 Hz. Speech gain averaged about 40 dB. Direct acoustical cochlear stimulation resulted in an average functional hearing gain of 36.1 dB (range, 24.2–47.5 dB). Although the greatest amplification was observed in the higher frequencies, there also was a significant improvement in the lower frequencies. The surgery was not related to any difficulties; vertigo, inner ear trauma, or further complications did not occur.

Conclusions: Taken together, the results support that the VSB may be safely and effectively also used in conductive and mixed hearing losses (esp. in otosclerosis cases with different coupling methods and different surgical (and more or less high sophisticated) techniques.

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