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J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2019; 80(02): 139-148
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1677690
Invited Review
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Bone Conduction Implants for Hearing Rehabilitation in Skull Base Tumor Patients

Lauren Placke
1   Bobby R. Alford MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
,
Eric N. Appelbaum
1   Bobby R. Alford MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
,
Akash J. Patel
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
3   Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States
,
Alex D. Sweeney
1   Bobby R. Alford MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
4   Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

26 November 2018

05 December 2018

Publication Date:
06 February 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Bone conduction implants transfer sound to the inner ear through direct vibration of the skull. In patients with skull base tumors and infections, these devices can bypass a dysfunctional ear canal and/or middle ear. Though not all skull base surgery patients opt for bone conduction hearing rehabilitation, a variety of these devices have been developed and marketed over time. This article reviews the evolution and existing state of bone conduction technology.

Keywords

bone conduction implant - skull base surgery - single-sided deafness

Financial Material and Support

Internal departmental funding was utilized without commercial sponsorship or support.


Disclosure

This article discusses off-label uses of bone-conduction hearing devices.