Subjective satisfaction and audiological benefit and with ADHEAR Hearing System in adult users

Indroduction:

The ADHEAR-system (MED-EL, Innsbruck) is a new bone-conduction hearing aid which is adapted to the skin behind the ear without any surgical procedures.

The transmission of sound to the inner ear through the cranial bone (bone-conduction) is enabled with an adhesive patch.

Aim of this study was the examination of speech perception after middle ear surgery. Furthermore we evaluated the subjective hearing sensation as well as the patients' acceptance using questionnaires.

Methods:

Speech perception in quiet is tested with the Freiburg monosyllable test (playback level of 65 dB SPL) and in noise with the Oldenburg Sentence Test (OLSA) with and without the ADHEAR-system postoperatively.

The subjective hearing sensation and the patients' acceptance were assessed with a standardized questionnaire (SSQ12) and an ADHEAR-related questionnaire.

Data of the first patients (n = 11) will be presented.

Results:

The functional hearing gain improved by 19 dB.

Speech perception for monosyllables improved by 46% significantly. Speech perception in noise was -6,7 dB SNR on the average.

The analysis of the questionnaires showed a high patients' satisfaction and a subjective improvement of hearing sensation.

Conclusion:

The measurements of speech perception in quiet after one week showed a significant improvement using the ADHEAR system compared to the unaided situation.

Speech perception in noise also improved significantly by 2,7 dB SNR.

The patient survey using a standardized questionnaire verified a high satisfaction and acceptance of the system with a subjectively improved hearing sensation.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)