Long-term results with the titanium bone-anchored hearing aid: the U.S. experience.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the titanium bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA).


METHODS
A retrospective review of 24 patients implanted with the BAHA between 1984 and 1987 in a multiinstitutional study designed to evaluate the device in the United States was performed, including detailed clinical and audiologic evaluations of the 10 patients implanted at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. The data were collected from patients' charts, questionnaires, and the Nobel Biocare patient contact and repair records.


METHODS
Candidates for the BAHA are unable to use a conventional air conduction hearing aid because of congenital aural atresia, draining mastoid cavities, or recurrent otitis externa. The audiologic indications are a conductive or a mixed hearing loss with a bone conduction average of 45 db or better and a speech discrimination score of 60% or better.


METHODS
A BAHA was implanted in a two-stage procedure under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.


METHODS
Patients' satisfaction with the device, hearing improvement, and complication rates were reviewed.


RESULTS
The majority of the patients analyzed (78%) are still using the device an average of 15.6 hours/day 10 to 13 years after implantation. The overall satisfaction score was 4.5 (1, worst; 5, best). In sound field testing, the mean speech reception threshold improved from 52 db to 27 db (p < 0.05). There were no major complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The BAHA is a safe and effective bone conduction hearing aid with wide applications for patients with bone conduction hearing levels of 45 db and discrimination scores of 60% or better.
Wazen
J J
JJ
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Caruso
M
M
Tjellstrom
A
A
D001844:Bone Conduction; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018579:Patient Selection; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013063:Speech Discrimination Tests; D013069:Speech Reception Threshold Test; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D014025:Titanium