Clinical effect of an active transcutaneous bone-conduction implant on tinnitus in patients with ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the effect of an active transcutaneous bone conduction implant (BoneBridgeⓇ) in the management of tinnitus in patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

METHODS

From October 2016 to July 2018, 15 patients with unilateral tinnitus accompanied by ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss received BoneBridgeⓇ implants. Pure-tone average, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for awareness, loudness, and annoyance were measured before and 6 months after surgery. We defined improvement as a reduction of more than 20% between preoperative and postoperative VAS and THI scores, and changes in the THI of over 7 points were also assessed.

RESULTS

Mean THI scores before surgery (72.8 ± 16.1) had significantly improved by 6 months postoperatively (50.9 ± 18.9) (p = 0.003). VAS scores for loudness and annoyance also statistically significantly improved (p = 0.011 and 0.002). The amount of functional hearing gain correlated with changes in VAS scores for annoyance. This correlation was stronger with the improvement of high frequency hearing.

CONCLUSION

BoneBridgeⓇ is beneficial in patients with tinnitus accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss. This finding can help select patients who will benefit most from bone conduction implants.