Alternatives to traditional air-conduction amplification may be required when managing patients with conductive and mixed conductive hearing loss, which may involve active disease process or anatomical barriers to the conduction of amplified sound through the outer and middle ear.
Bone-conduction amplification is an alternative method to apply amplified sound in these cases. TABLE 1 summarizes the wide array of approaches and manufacturers that are involved in this important treatment option for individuals with conductive, mixed-conductive, and single-sided deafness.
MANUFACTURER
DESCRIPTION
Cochlear Baha Family Non-Surgical
Softband, SoundArc/passive transcutaneous
Cochlear Baha Family Surgical
Baha Connect/passive percutaneous Baha Attract/passive transcutaneous
Cochlear Osia Surgical
Active osseointegrated implant/active transcutaneous
MED-EL Adhear Non-Surgical
Softband, adhesive snap/passive transcutaneous
Oticon Ponto Family Non-Surgical
Softband, headband/passive transcutaneous
Oticon Ponto Family Surgical
Passive percutaneous
MED-EL Bonebridge
Active osseointegrated implant/active transcutaneous
TABLE 1. Summary of Bone-Conduction Treatment Options
Traditional Bone-Conduction Amplification
The traditional, non-surgical approach to bone-conduction amplification involved the use of a vibrating actuator held in place on the head of the patient with a spring steel headband borrowed from bone-conduction oscillators used for diagnostic audiometric measurements.
Even with these trade-offs, the bone-anchored approach to bone-conduction amplification gained traction and offered significant improvement over the steel headband, both in comfort and audiological benefit.
The traditional method of retention is uncomfortable and unsightly for many patients, given the need for long-term wear. However, these systems did provide substantial improvements in hearing thresholds and speech recognition.
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This content is an exclusive benefit for American Academy of Audiology members.
If you’re a member, log in and you’ll get immediate access.
If you’re not yet a member, you’ll be interested to know that joining not only gives you access to top-notch resources like this one, but also invitations to member-only events, inclusion in the member directory, participation in professional forums, and access to patient resources, tools, and continuing education. Join today!
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