Functional results of Vibrant Soundbridge middle ear implants in conductive and mixed hearing losses.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to evaluate the results of Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) in conductive or mixed hearing loss.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Twenty-five adult patients (29 ears) with a mixed or conductive hearing loss and various etiologies were included in this retrospective study. The preoperative ipsilateral pure tone average was 71 ± 3.0 dB, and the average bone conduction threshold was 42 ± 2.8 dB (n = 29). The transducer was placed on the long apophysis of the incus (n = 16), in the round window (n = 10) or on the stapes (n = 3).

RESULTS

No complications were noted. The bone conduction threshold remained unchanged. VSB was activated in all cases. The postoperative pure tone average without VSB was 63 ± 3.9 dB (n = 24) and with VSB in free-field condition 24 ± 2.1 dB (n = 22).

CONCLUSIONS

VSB is safe and efficacious for auditory rehabilitation in conductive and mixed hearing losses.