Benefit of the Vibrant Soundbridge device in patients implanted for 5 to 8 years.
OBJECTIVE
To assess audiological performance, satisfaction rate, and side effects of 100 patients who have been using the middle ear implant Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) for 5 to 8 yr when compared with data collected from 3 to 18 mo postsurgery.


METHODS
Audiological testing and subjective evaluation using self-assessment scales were performed in 77 out of the 100 patients using the VSB for 5 to 8 years. The results were compared to data collected 3 months (audiological testing) and 18 months (self-assessment scales) after surgery. Twenty-three patients have not been evaluated for different reported reasons.


RESULTS
Pure-tone hearing thresholds decreased similarly in both implanted and contralateral ears. The satisfaction ratings and the functional gain provided by the VSB remained stable. Speech comprehension in quiet conditions without the VSB decreased from 56 to 37% in 5 to 8 yr, but an 81% score was achieved with the VSB.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that the performance of the VSB does not deteriorate for more than 5 yr, without adverse effect. These results confirm the safety and the effectiveness of the VSB with a long-term follow-up.
Mosnier
Isabelle
I
AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Service d'ORL, Clichy, France. isabelle.mosnier@lmr.aphp.fr
Sterkers
Olivier
O
Bouccara
Didier
D
Labassi
Samia
S
Bebear
Jean-Pierre
JP
Bordure
Philippe
P
Dubreuil
Christian
C
Dumon
Thibaud
T
Frachet
Bruno
B
Fraysse
Bernard
B
Lavieille
Jean-Pierre
JP
Magnan
Jacques
J
Martin
Christian
C
Meyer
Bernard
B
Mondain
Michel
M
Portmann
Didier
D
Robier
Alain
A
Schmerber
Sébastien
S
Thomassin
Jean-Marc
JM
Truy
Eric
E
Uziel
Alain
A
Vanecloo
François-Michel
FM
Vincent
Christophe
C
Ferrary
Evelyne
E
D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013016:Sound; D014732:Vibration