title: A new implantable middle ear hearing device for mixed hearing loss: A feasibility study in human temporal bones.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of a new, active middle ear device in temporal bones (TB).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This device is designed for patients with mixed hearing loss subsequent to chronic middle ear infection, surgery, or trauma. This Bell-Vibroplasty is built from a VIBRANT MED-EL Vibrant Soundbridge and a Kurz Bell titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In three fresh TBs, healthy and reconstructed middle ears were analyzed by means of laser Doppler interferometry. The sound transmission properties of a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis and a passive and an active Bell-Vibroplasty were compared with healthy middle ear function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The measurements provided reliable results with small standard deviations and good signal-to-noise ratios. The performance levels of the partial ossicular replacement prosthesis and of the passive Bell-Vibroplasty were comparable with that of healthy middle ear function. The activated Bell-Vibroplasty provided linear function and a flat frequency response within the measured frequency range (500 Hz-8 kHz), with peak deviations of less than 10 dB. The maximum output of the Bell-Vibroplasty was equivalent to 125-dB sound pressure level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bell-Vibroplasty is feasible in TBs. Bell-Vibroplasty performance in TBs is sufficient to allow for a clinical trial as a next step.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. alex.huber@usz.ch
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Geoffrey R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Dorothe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Veraguth
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dillier
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bodmer
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sequeira
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006310:Hearing Aids; D046089:Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D014732:Vibration