Vibrant soundbridge middle ear implant for hearing improvement in patientswith sensory hearing loss. I. Clinical considerations, indications and preliminary results

Background: The adequate therapy for patients suffering from a sensory hear ing loss consists of fitting electronic hearing devices. Conventional heari ng aids, however, present with significant inherent drawbacks such as insuf ficient amplification in the high frequency range, problems with the ear mo ld (feed hack, occlusion, external otitis), or distortion of sound with an "unnatural" hearing impression. Methods: The partially implantable middle e ar device Vibrant Soundbridge provides a sound wave conversion into mechani cal vibrations at the middle ear ossicles using the Floating Mass Transduce r (FMT). The audiological advantages are due to a direct moving force to th e perilymph via incus and stapes. The Vibrant Soundbridge system is indicat ed in patients with a medium to severe symmetrical sensory hearing loss and a normal middle ear. Candidates need previous experience with conventional hearing aids without satisfactory results. Results: The eight operated pat ients report a "natural" quality of sound and speech, a better hearing perc eption at high frequencies and the absence of feed back phenomena. Audiolog ical evaluation and questionnair results support the patients subjective he aring impression. Conclusions: The Vibrant Soundbridge improves hearing qua lity in patients with sensory hearing loss. The hearing implant is indicate d in particular in patients that are unable to wear conventional hearing ai ds.