Three-year audiological outcomes of the latest generation middle ear transducer (MET) implant

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the long-term audiological outcomes and safety of the latest generation of middle ear transducer (MET) among a group of Polish patients. Methods Ten patients aged 48–72 years with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (n = 8) and mixed hearing loss (n = 2) were included in this study. Pure tone audiometry, sound thresholds, word recognition scores in quiet and speech reception thresholds in noise were assessed. Medical and technical complication information was gathered. Results All the patients underwent unilateral implantation with the latest generation Cochlear MET between 2014 and 2016. Mean length of follow-up was 3.7 years. Compared to the unaided condition, the implant provided significant functional gain (mean M = 26.1 dB) at 12 months follow-up. Compared to before surgery, average word recognition in quiet at 65 dB and at 80 dB SPL, as well as speech reception threshold in noise, were significantly better at 12 months. However, postoperative air conduction thresholds 6 months after implantation worsened by 10.3 dB (standard deviation SD = 5.8 dB). Postoperatively, three patients had skin problems around the processor, and one of them completely resigned from using the device 5 months after activation. Technical failures occurred in 4 cases. There were 9 out of 10 patients who still used the MET, but only 5 of them used the processor regularly (every day). Conclusion Despite changes in the transducer implemented by the manufacturer, we observed a significant number of adverse events in users of the latest generation of MET.

Ergebnisse und Lebensqualität nach Implantation aktiver Mittelohrimplantate

“…The hearing improvement after implantation of an active middle ear implant compared to the unaided hearing constellation has been confirmed in several trials ( Table 1 ) and presented in systematic review articles 34 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 . In a meta-analysis, Ernst et al could quantify for patients with MHL/CHL who had been treated with a Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB, MED-EL Company, Innsbruck, Austria) an average functional gain of 29.6 dB (range: 12.5–43.4 dB) 88 .…”

“…Der Hörgewinn nach der Implantation eines aktiven Mittelohrimplantates gegenüber der unversorgten Hörkonstellation ist vielfach in Studien nachgewiesen ( Tab. 1 ) und in systematischen Übersichtsarbeiten dargestellt 34 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 . Ernst et al konnten für Patienten mit MHL/CHL, welche mit einer Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB, Firma MED-EL, Innsbruck, Österreich) versorgt wurden, in einer metaanalytischen Auswertung einen mittleren Functional Gain von 29,6 dB (Range: 12,5–43,4 dB) ermitteln 88 .…”