gms | German Medical Science

Bone conduction hearing systems (e.g. the BAHA System) plays important role in patient rehabilitation with conductive, mixed hearing loss or single-sided sensorineural deafness. Since 2012, our clinic tested three different BAHA Systems i.e. BI300, DermaLock and the new BAHAAttract system. The aim of the present study was to capture the key outcomes of the different BAHA models, in particular to the BAHAAttract system as the part of an ongoing multicenter study. We also wanted to test the postoperative outcome of a modified surgical technique applied in BAHAAttract system.

25 consecutive patients with BAHA surgeries were recruited (n=5 soft tissue reduction+BI300 implant; n=10 soft tissue preservation+DermaLock system and n=10 with modified surgery+BAHAAttract) Pre and early postoperative audiometry performed and repeated in the 3 th and 6th postoperative month. A one page questionnaire -focused on the hearing performance and postoperative wearing/comfort- also provided.

Postoperative audiometry showed significant hearing improvement in all groups. There was no significant difference between groups on this point. In Attract group, repeated audiometry showed learning-curve like change in hearing level. All patients were satisfied with the hearing performance and comfort of the equipment. With modified surgical technique, we have less postoperative complication in Attract group compare to the method suggested originally by the literature.

Audiometry and patient feedback indicates a good hearing performance and comfort in each group, however, application of penetrating abutment should be restricted in patients with possible wound healing problems (e.g. in diabetic patient). Modified surgical method cause less postoperative complication and good esthetic result.

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