Transcranial contralateral cochlear stimulation in unilateral deafness.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Bone Anchored Cochlear Stimulator (BAHA) in transcranial routing of signal by implanting the deaf ear. Study design and settings Eighteen patients with unilateral deafness were included in a multisite study. They had a 1-month pre-implantation trial with a contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aid. Their performance with BAHA was compared with the CROS device using speech reception thresholds, speech recognition performance in noise, and the Abbreviated Profile Hearing Benefit and Single Sided Deafness questionnaires.


RESULTS
Patients reported a significant improvement in speech intelligibility in noise and greater benefit from BAHA compared with CROS hearing aids. Patients were satisfied with the device and its impact on their quality of life. No major complications were reported. Conclusion and significance BAHA is effective in unilateral deafness. Auditory stimuli from the deaf side can be transmitted to the good ear, avoiding the limitations inherent in CROS amplification.
Wazen
Jack J
JJ
New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia presbyterian Campus, New York, New York 10032, USA. jjw4@collumbia.edu
Spitzer
Jaclyn B
JB
Ghossaini
Soha N
SN
Fayad
José N
JN
Niparko
John K
JK
Cox
Kenneth
K
Brackmann
Derald E
DE
Soli
Sigfrid D
SD
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013067:Speech Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires