title: Functional Results and Subjective Benefit of a Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Device in Patients With Single-Sided Deafness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze speech discrimination scores and subjective benefit of a transcutaneous bone conduction device (tBCD) in adults with single-sided deafness (SSD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine adults with SSD for more than 1 year and normal hearing on the contralateral side (PTA <30 dB HL) were implanted with a tBCD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transmastoidal implantation of a Bonebridge (BB, MED-EL) tBCD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aided and unaided speech discrimination scores in three different spatial settings were measured using the Oldenburg sentence test (OLSA). Quality of life was assessed by two questionnaires, the Bern Benefit in Single Sided Deafness Questionnaire (BBSS) and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale for benefit questionnaire (SSQ-B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Speech discrimination scores measured by OLSA showed a mean signal-to-noise ratio improvement of 1.7 dB SPL for the aided condition compared with the unaided condition in the setting where the sound signal is presented on the side of the implanted ear and the noise is coming from the front (p < 0.05). In the other two settings (signal and noise from front; signal from normal hearing ear and noise from front), the signal-to-noise ratio did not change significantly. This benefit became manifest after 6 months. Good satisfaction was indicated by positive results on the questionnaires.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Speech discrimination in noise for patients implanted with the BB is comparable with patients with other bone conduction hearing aids. A learning curve is clearly detectable. The subjective benefit was rated positively by the patients. With the advantage of intact skin conditions after implantation, the BB is an adequate option for patients with SSD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roman D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Laske
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Röösli
authors.forename: Flurin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pfiffner
authors.forename: Dorothe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Veraguth
authors.forename: Alex M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001844:Bone Conduction; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing; D006310:Hearing Aids; D046088:Hearing Loss, Unilateral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013067:Speech Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome