CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Laryngorhinootologie 2019; 98(S 02): S146-S147
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1686465
Abstracts
Otology

A new adhesive bone conduction hearing system – ADHEAR – effectively treats conductive hearing loss in children

K Neumann
1   Abt. f. Phoniatrie u. Pädaudiologie, HNO-Uniklinik, Bochum
,
JP Thomas
2   Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum
,
C Völter
3   Cochlea Implantat-Zentrum Ruhrgebiet, Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum
,
S Dazert
2   Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum
› Author Affiliations
MED-EL
 

Introduction:

Bone conduction hearing devices integrated in softbands (BCDS) are frequently not accepted by children with conductive hearing loss due to pressure, sweating, or cosmetic stigma. A non-surgical hearing system (ADHEAR) uses a new bone conduction concept consisting of an audio processor connected to an adhesive adapter fixed behind the ear. This study evaluated the audiological and clinical outcome of this system in children compared with a conventional BCDS.

Methods:

The ADHEAR was compared to a BCDS in 10 children with conductive hearing loss (age: 0.7 to 9.7 years). Aided and unaided pure tone/behavioral observational audiometry and, if applicable, speech audiometry in quiet and noise were performed initially with both devices and after 8 weeks with the ADHEAR alone. The usage of the system and patients'/parents' satisfaction were assessed using questionnaires.

Results:

The functional gain with the ADHEAR averaged over 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz exceeded that of the conventional BCDS (34.7 dB ± 14.1 vs. 27.7 dB ± 14.7, p = 0.012, n = 11 ears) [1]. Speech perception in quiet and noise (n = 8) improved in the aided situation similarly for both hearing devices. The parents of 8 of 10 children evaluated the ADHEAR system as being useful.

Conclusion:

Minor wearing problems occurred occasionally. Six children continued using the ADHEAR after the study, one received an active middle ear implant and three continued to use softband-integrated BCDs. The ADHEAR system is a promising solution for children with conductive hearing loss or chronically draining ears.

Reference:

[1] Neumann K, Thomas JP, Völter C, Dazert S. A new adhesive bone conduction hearing system effectively treats conductive hearing loss in children. Manuscript submitted.



Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)

© 2019. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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