THE AUDIANT(TM) BONE CONDUCTOR(TM) - UPDATE OF PATIENT RESULTS IN NORTH-AMERICA

The Xomed Audiant(TM) Bone Conductor(TM) is an implantable hearing dev ice for conductive hearing impairments not adequately relieved by surg ical methods or hearing aid amplification. It has now been used long e nough for analysis of its present position in our management armamenta rium. Data obtained from respondents from the United States and Canada are presented and indicate that this device, properly prescribed and used, almost eliminates the conductive elements of the hearing impairm ent. During the early years of its use, the device was frequently impl anted in patients outside the manufacturer's guidelines for use. Some of the reasons for this discrepancy, as well as evidence that this mis application is lessening, are presented. When proper guidelines were u sed, however, the results presented here indicate that socially adequa te hearing can be restored to patients with conductive loss by the Aud iant(TM). Complications have been few and appear to be diminishing. Th e results indicate that this device has, in its present state of devel opment, a narrow and restrictive application, but a well-defined and e fficient role to play in the management of conductive hearing impairme nt.