Innovative surgical approaches for the Osia® 2 System.

BACKGROUND

Bone conduction auditory implants offer an effective alternative for patients with conductive, mixed, or single-sided hearing loss by transmitting sound through skull vibrations, bypassing the outer and middle ear.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to introduce and delineate a comprehensive surgical technique for the Cochlear™ Osia® 2 System, a groundbreaking development in active bone conduction auditory implants utilizing piezoelectric principles.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Five participants with audiologically eligible indications for a bone conduction hearing implant underwent Osia® 2 implantation. The outcomes were evaluated over a 3-month period.

RESULTS

The new surgical technique minimized surgical scars with a short surgical time. It showed particularly significant benefits in challenging acoustic environments, showcasing an improvement even when noise was directed towards the device. This contrasts with previous findings on the BAHA Attract System, suggesting that Osia® may offer enhanced auditory capabilities in noisy conditions.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: The presented surgical technique for Osia® 2 implantation, characterized by a small incision and local anesthesia, proves to be a transformative approach. The method not only optimizes the potential of the piezoelectric Osia® 2 implant but also addresses the shortcomings of previous implant generations, emphasizing aesthetic outcomes, streamlined procedures, and reduced operating times.