Conclusions:
Our study results allow the conclusion that the decision with modality can be recommended to improve hearing in patients with middle ear disease is not only audiologic but involves both audiological and clinical assessment. Hearing results with the adhesive ADHEAR system within and outside its indication criterion were compared to the softband bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) system in patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss. Due to the pressure-less wearing comfort we see the ADHEAR system as a permanent or temporary treatment option in patients who are unable to receive or deny surgery. Outside the indication criterion of the ADHEAR system, the use of the ADHEAR system can be an option. Softband BAHA systems remain a solution for patients were the adhesive wearing time is not satisfactory.
Figures
Fig. 1.
Air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) hearing levels (PTA4) for patients with middle ear disease (CHL or MHL – group 1). The dotted line points the indication criterion of the ADHEAR system at a BC of less than 25 dB HL and the dashed line points the indication criterion of the BAHA 5 Power system at a BC less than 55 dB HL.
Fig. 2A
Speech intelligibility scores (free-field Freiburg monosyllables word test results) in quiet at 65 dB SPL for the unaided situation and the aided situation with the ADHEAR system for patients in group 1 (middle ear disease) within and outside the indication criterion for ADHEAR (in: n = 11 and out: n = 12).
Fig. 2B
Speech intelligibility scores (free-field Freiburg monosyllables word test results) in noise at 5 dB SNR for the unaided situation and the aided situation with the ADHEAR system for patients in group 1 (middle ear disease) within and outside the indication criterion for ADHEAR (in: n = 11 and out: n = 12).
Fig. 3A
Speech intelligibility scores (free-field Freiburg monosyllables word test results) in quiet at 65 dB SPL for the unaided situation and the aided situations with the ADHEAR system and the softband BAHA 5 Power system for patients in group 1 (middle ear disease) within and outside the indication criterion for ADHEAR (in: n = 6 and out: n = 4).
Fig. 3B
Speech intelligibility scores (free-field Freiburg monosyllables word test results) in noise at 5 dB SNR for the unaided situation and the aided situations with the ADHEAR system and the softband BAHA 5 Power system for patients in group 1 (middle ear disease) within and outside the indication criterion for ADHEAR (in: n = 6 and out: n = 4).
Tables
Table 1. Demographics and baseline characteristics for all patients with middle ear disease and for the control group (subjects with bilateral plugged ears).
Table 2. Mean speech intelligibility differences between the unaided situation and the aided situations, using the ADHEAR system and a softband BAHA 5 Power system.
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