title: Comparing audiological test results obtained from a sound processor attached to a Softband with direct and magnetic passive bone conduction hearing implant systems.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare audiological test results obtained from a sound processor (SP) attached to a Softband with those obtained from direct (abutment connection) bone conduction implant systems and magnetic passive bone conduction implant systems with different magnet strengths on patients implanted at our clinic. Twenty-four patients who were implanted with either an abutment or magnetic bone conduction implant system between January 2012 and December 2014 were analyzed for hearing results, such as free-field hearing thresholds, direct bone conduction hearing thresholds, and speech discrimination scores with aided and unaided conditions Both magnetic and direct osseointegrated bone conduction implant systems, as well as the Softband system, provide good hearing outcomes when compared with unaided performance; however, the abutment connection system gives better hearing thresholds in the higher frequencies. No significant difference in hearing gain was found between the Softband system, magnet 5, and magnet used by the patient. Magnetic and direct bone conduction hearing implant systems are both effective for rehabilitation of conductive and mixed hearing loss when conventional hearing aids cannot be used. However, patients with high-frequency hearing loss may be better suited to an abutment connection system if they are not satisfied with high-frequency hearing gains provided via the trial Softband system preoperatively and should be counseled accordingly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey. doktor.kbb@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iseri
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Merve
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Durgut
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Topdag
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozturk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D001844:Bone Conduction; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Auditory rehabilitation; Bone conductive implant; Headband test; Hearing aids and assistive; Hearing loss; Listening devices