14 Years of Experience with Bone Anchored Hearing Implants in University Clinical Centre in Maribor

Objective: An overview of implanted bone anchored hearing aids in last 14 years in University Clinical Centre in Maribor

Study design: Retrospective study

Methods: Retrospective study of demographic data and satisfaction with the device measured with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) scale.

Results: Since 2003 we have implanted 124 devices, 80 of those devices were percutaneous and 44 transcutaneous. 8 percutaneous had to be explanted, and one of the transcutaneous. Predominating aetiology was CSOM (54%), followed by SSD (19%), atresia of the external ear canal (13%), otosclerosis (7%), tumour (4%) and trauma (3%) Mean daily wear time is 11 hours, despite that only 26% wore a hearing aid before implantation. Average bone conduction hearing loss (not taking SSD into account) was 18 dB at 500 Hz, 21 dB at 1000 Hz, 30 dB at 2000 Hz and 36 dB at 4000Hz. 96% are able to converse in quiet environment, 77% are able to converse in noisy environment, 88% are able to enjoy music. Total average GBI score was 30,6, general, social and physical subscale scores were 38,5, 19,2 and 9,9 respectively.

Conclusion: Analysis of all implanted bone anchored hearing aids in our centre has shown promising results with both percutaneous and transcutaneous devices. Only few complications were recorded. Predominant aetiologies are chronic supportive otitis media and single sided deafness. Average bone conduction hearing thresholds were around 25 dB, this corresponds to the accepted indications for implantation. We can confidently state, that in general, patients were satisfied with the device and gained in all subscales measured with Glasgow Benefit Inventory.