Objectives:Our objective was to report the very first surgical experiences, audiologic benefits, and satisfaction with the new active transcutaneous bone conduction implant, generation 602 (BCI602), in patients with mixed/conductive hearing loss (M/CHL) and single-sided deafness.Methods:A retrospective chart review from patients who underwent BCI602 surgery was performed.Results:Twelve subjects were implanted (mean age 33.17 ± 21.67 yrs). Mean surgery time was 29.89 ± 8.59 minutes, with the longest being a difficult passive-BCI explantation due to excessive osseointegration. No surgical nor post-surgical complications occurred. No pre-operative surgical planning for device placement was necessary, no BCI-lifts were used and complete transmastoid implantation was possible. The mean functional gain in the M/CHL cohort significantly increased after 3 months (ρ < .0001). The mean word recognition score (%) in quiet for the M/CHL group significantly improved at activation and 3 months post-surgery (ρ = .0002; ρ < .0001). At the 3 months follow-up the subjects reported high satisfaction with the device accompanied with a mean wearing time of 10.13 hours per day (range 18–6 h/d) resulting in a reported battery change of every 8.29 ± 0.49 days.Conclusions:These early results of the new BCI602 showed significantly improved audiological performance, no limitations during surgery (youngest subject 2 yrs at surgery), no prior surgical planning necessary, accompanied by high patient satisfaction and increased wearing time. Based on these results, the BCI602 can be highly recommended and especially for difficult anatomical and surgical cases and the given indication for children older than 5 years should probably be revaluated.Level of Evidence: Level 4.

The objective of the study was to demonstrate the long-term outcomes of patients implanted with the active middle ear implant (AMEI) Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) through coupling the floating mass transducer (FMT) to the round window (RW). Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the short-and long-term clinical performance (audiological outcomes) and safety (revisions/explantations) of the VSB coupled to the RW between 2013 and 2019 at the St.

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) and the accompanying rehabilitation has become a routine procedure in hearing restoration. Literature is sparse on elderly CI recipients focusing on the issue of age and their inclined auditory resolution, taking their diminished cognitive function into account, which requires adaptation of rehabilitation programs to overcome habituation. Objective: This study aims to show that a few adjustments in the therapy program towards age, mental, physical and auditory condition significantly improve music perception and overall auditory benefit, hence normal communication and social interactions can be found. Methods: Subjects implanted with a CI 65 years or older were compared to age-matched normal hearing subjects. Questionnaires were administered before and after ten music therapy sessions, to evaluate the participant’s music habits, the perception of sound quality and self-awareness and hearing implant satisfaction. Results: The greatest benefit was seen in participants’ gain in self-confidence and enjoyable music perception. Not only did the amount of listening to music increase, but also the impression of sound quality changed from poor up to good/very good sound quality. Conclusions: The music therapy was well accepted and resulted in beneficial subjective as well as objective outcomes towards hearing and music impression, hence improved quality of life.

The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of hearing implant (HI) use on quality of life (QoL) and to determine which QoL measure(s) quantify QoL with greater sensitivity in users of different types of HIs. Participants were adult cochlear implant (CI), active middle ear implant (VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE (VSB)), or active transcutaneous bone conduction implant (the BONEBRIDGE (BB)) recipients. Generic QoL and disease-specific QoL were assessed at three intervals: pre-activation, 6 months of device use, and 12 months of device use. 169 participants completed the study (110 CI, 18VSB, and 41BB). CI users’ QoL significantly increased from 0–6 m device use on both the generic- and the disease-specific measures. On some device-specific measures, their QoL also significantly increased between 6 and 12 m device use. VSB users’ QoL significantly increased between all tested intervals with the disease-specific measure but not the generic measure. BB users’ QoL significantly increased from 0–6 m device use on both the generic- and the disease-specific measures. In sum, HI users experienced significant postoperative increases in QoL within their first 12 m of device use, especially when disease-specific measures were used. Disease-specific QoL measures appeared to be more sensitive than their generic counterparts.