Expanding the indications for the bone anchored hearing system (BAHS) in patients with single sided deafness

Abstract

Purpose: Provide data to support expansion of FDA indications for the Bone anchored hearing system (BAHS).

Materials and methods: This retrospective study in a tertiary otologic referral center included106 consecutive subjects who were implanted with a Bone Anchored Hearing System (BAHS) between January 2009 and January 2015 for single sided deafness. Subjects were divided into three groups by bone conduction pure tone average (PTA) of the better hearing ear: 0-20 dB (group 1), 21-40 dB (group 2) and 41-55 dB (group 3). All patients underwent BAHS implantation. Speech perception data (Hearing In Noise Test and Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant testing) was collected before and after surgical intervention. Patient-reported quality of life measures were obtained at least 6 months after activation. These included the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and Glasgow Benefit Inventory.

Results: All three groups of subjects demonstrated statistically significant improvement in outcome measures following BAHS. Subject reported quality of life outcome measures demonstrated significant improvement in disability from hearing loss and in quality of life.

Conclusions: Patients with single sided deafness who have bone conduction thresholds worse than 20 dB in their contralateral ear are still able to benefit significantly from BAHS.

Keywords: Asymmetric hearing loss; Bone anchored hearing system; Bone conduction; Single sided deafness.