title: Vibrant Soundbridge system: application of the stapes coupling technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of the stapes coupling technique, employed in the Vibrant Soundbridge system, is technically less demanding than the vibroplasty technique, and is more likely to generate a positive outcome without significantly changing residual hearing or resulting in medical or surgical complication.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a patient with repeated left ossiculoplasty failure, who was successfully implanted with a Vibrant Soundbridge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that the stapes coupling technique can provide natural stimulation to the inner ear, resulting in a better perceived sound quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and The Institute of Human Communicative Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: W S S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: J K Y
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: T K C
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: M C F
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D014732:Vibration