A comparative study of hearing aids and round window application of the vibrant sound bridge (VSB) for patients with mixed or conductive hearing loss. (April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marino, Roberta; Linton, Nicola; Eikelboom, Robert H.; Statham, Elle; Rajan, Gunesh P.
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 52:Number 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 218
• Publication Date: 2013-04
• Subjects: Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/14992027.2012.750431
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective:</italic> This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of the round window (RW) application of the vibrant soundbridge (VSB) in patients with mixed or conductive hearing loss. <italic>Design:</italic> Speech in quiet and in noise were compared to preoperative data attained with conventional hearing aids so that each subject served as his or her own control in a single test protocol. <italic>Study sample:</italic> Eighteen adults implanted monaurally with the VSB in the poorer hearing ear. Experience with the VSB ranged from nine to 25 months. <italic>Results:</italic> Sixteen of the 18 subjects were successful VSB users, wearing their device all waking hours. There was no significant deterioration in the averaged bone conduction results preoperatively versus post-operatively (p &gt; 0.05). Speech recognition in quiet results were not significantly different to performance attained whilst wearing hearing aids (p &gt; 0.05). Speech recognition in noise performance was substantially improved with use of the VSB in most test conditions. <italic>Conclusions:</italic> For the majority of the subjects, the VSB was an effective method of hearing restoration for their mixed and conductive hearing loss.</p> </abstract>