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J Am Acad Audiol 2021; 32(06): 386-392
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1728758
Research Article

Cartilage Conduction Hearing Aid Fitting in Clinical Practice

Tadashi Nishimura
1   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
,
Hiroshi Hosoi
2   MBT(Medicine-Based Town) Institute, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
,
Tomoko Sugiuchi
3   Sugiuchi Clinic, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
,
Nozomu Matsumoto
4   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku Fukuoka, Japan
,
Takanori Nishiyama
5   Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
,
Takano Kenichi
6   Department of Otolaryngology, Sapporo Medical University, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan
,
Satofumi Sugimoto
7   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
,
Hiroaki Yazama
8   Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
,
Takeshi Sato
9   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
,
Masahiro Komori
10   Department of Otolaryngology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Oko-cho, Nankoku-shi, Kochi, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Funding This research was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 17K11339.
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Abstract

Background Cartilage conduction hearing aids (CCHAs) were newly devised and spread fast in Japan since their launch in 2017. However, little knowledge is available for this new device.

Purpose The aim of this study was to establish the knowledge of CCHAs and suggest their indication.

Research Design Correlational study.

Study Sample A total 256 patients were registered.

Data Collection and Analysis The fitting of CCHAs was surveyed in nine institutions. The outcomes were assessed by audiometric tests. The patients were classified into seven groups, depending on the ear conditions. The clinical characteristics, assessment results, and purchase rates were compared among the groups. The assessment results of CCHAs were also compared with those of previously used hearing aids.

Results Most patients who used CCHAs were classified into the bilateral closed (aural atresia or severe stenosis) ear (n = 65) or unilateral closed ear (n = 124) groups. The patients in these groups achieved good benefits that resulted in a high purchase rate. The bilateral continuous otorrhea group also supported a high purchase rate, although the benefits of CCHAs were not always excellent. In contrast, the purchase rate was poor in the patients who could use air conduction hearing aids (ACHAs) without absolute problems. As for using a CCHA as a contralateral routing of signals hearing aid, the benefits depended on the patients.

Conclusions CCHAs are considered as a great option not only to the patients with closed ears but also to those who had difficulties in ACHAs usage.

Keywords

aural atresia - bone conduction - cartilage conduction - hearing aid


Publication History

Received: 10 September 2020

Accepted: 05 March 2021

Article published online:
03 June 2021

© 2021. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

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