Bone-anchored hearing aid quality of life assessed by Glasgow Benefit Inventory

Objective/Hypothesis: The bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a well establ ished mode of treatment and many studies show the audiological benefit, but none has assessed the benefit to the quality of life of patients. This stu dy uses the validated Glasgow Benefit Inventory to quantify the changes in quality of Life. Study Design: Retrospective questionnaire study. Methods: Sixty consecutive patients receiving treatment with BAHA. were enrolled in the study, The male/female ratio was 1.26 to 1; mean patient age was 45 yea rs. The most common indication was hearing loss secondary to mastoid diseas e and surgery followed by congenital atresia and chronic discharge from the ear. Results: The response rate was 85%, which is high and adds weight to the results, The general benefit score was +34 (range, +27-+48), which is c omparable to middle ear surgery but just below benefit fi om cochlear impla ntation. The social benefit was +21 (range, +12-+37) with only +10 (range, +2-+26) for the physical score. This pattern mirrors that reported for othe r ear interventions, Maximum benefit was noted in patients with congenital atresias followed by discharging mastoid cavities, Conclusion: This study i s the first to demonstrate significant quality of life benefit from BAHA su rgical intervention as measured by the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.