Intermediate outcomes of a transcutaneous bone conduction hearing device in a paediatric population.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA®) Attract implantation in a cohort of paediatric patients.


METHODS
Prospective data collection and case review were undertaken in a paediatric tertiary referral centre. We have included patients under the age of 16 years with unilateral or bilateral hearing loss that met the criteria for BAHA®Attract implantation. The main outcome measures were surgical complications and Patient Reported Outcomes including the 'Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale' (SSQ-12) and 'Qualitative Feedback for BAHA®5 Hearing Aids'.


RESULTS
Twenty-five paediatric patients were implanted with the BAHA®Attract between June 2014 and July 2016. Nine of them had a conversion from a percutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Device (BCHD). Four children had minor skin problems that settled with conservative measures. Two children with a previous percutaneous BCHD developed skin dehiscence over the magnet after conversion to the transcutaneous version. The SSQ-12 was completed by 6 children and an improvement of 22% was noted between the unaided and aided condition. The patients and their parents were generally satisfied with the BAHA®Attract.


CONCLUSIONS
The BAHA®Attract offers a good solution for hearing rehabilitation in appropriately selected and counseled patients. The complication rate was low for primary surgery but higher in cases of conversion from a percutaneous device. Large, prospective data is needed to evaluate the relative risks and benefits of this BCHD.
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: panagiotis.dimitriadis@sth.nhs.uk.
Panagiotis A
PA
Dimitriadis
Department of Audiology, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Suzanne
S
Carrick
Department of Otolaryngology, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Jaydip
J
Ray
D000293:Adolescent; D001844:Bone Conduction; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D046088:Hearing Loss, Unilateral / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000071066:Patient Reported Outcome Measures; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013017:Sound Localization; D013067:Speech Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Attract; BAHA(®); BCHD; Hearing; SSQ; Transcutaneous