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Alahmadi A, Yousef M, Ibrahim A, Shahadah N, Hafez A, Abdelsamad Y, Alzhrani F. A novel coupling quality index to estimate the coupling efficiency in Vibrant Soundbridge. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 281:2333-2340. [PMID: 38070046 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08354-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective-based methods for intraoperative monitoring have been suggested to assess the coupling and the outcomes of Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB). Although several techniques were proposed, they have not been widely adopted due to their complexity and invasiveness. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of a new coupling quality index using an intraoperative ABR threshold via AcoustiAP and its correlation with the perioperative measures. METHODS This is a prospective study conducted at a tertiary center. The medical records were retrieved for all patients who underwent VSB implantation and had an intraoperative objective assessment for the coupling efficiency. AcoustiAP was used to evaluate the intraoperative ABR thresholds, which were assessed directly after the floating mass transducer (FMT) placement using acoustic CE-Chirp signals. The Vibrogram was used for the postoperative audiological evaluation. A new coupling quality index was calculated based on the intraoperative ABR thresholds. RESULTS Ten patients were eligible for the present study. The ABR thresholds for good coupling ranged from 35 to 60 dBnHL. The loose coupling thresholds ranged considerably from 40 to 100 dBnHL. Overall, the median intraoperative ABR threshold at good coupling was 42.5 (40-60) dBnHL and 60 (40-100) dBnHL at loose coupling. The analysis showed that there was a significant change in the coupling quality index at the good and loose coupling points (24.3 ± 14 vs 38.8 ± 18.2, respectively, p < 0.001). At a cut-off value of 22.6 dB, the coupling quality index had a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 90% for discriminating good and loose coupling. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence for the utility of intraoperative ABR measurements in predicting the coupling efficiency in patients with VSB. Our results showed that the coupling quality index had an acceptable accuracy in discriminating between good and poor coupling, which can help clinicians optimize the fitting process for individuals and may ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Alahmadi
- King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center (KAESC), College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC), King Saud University, P.O. Box: 245, 11411, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Medhat Yousef
- Audio Vestibular Medicine Unit, ENT Department, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
- Consultant Audio Vestibular Physician, King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center (KAESC), College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anas Ibrahim
- Vibrant Department, MED-EL GmbH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nourah Shahadah
- Audiology unit, ENT department, College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Hafez
- Electrophysiology Department, MED-EL GmbH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Farid Alzhrani
- King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center (KAESC), College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC), King Saud University, P.O. Box: 245, 11411, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Lengert L, Tomanek M, Ghoncheh M, Lohmann H, Prenzler N, Kalies S, Johannsmeier S, Ripken T, Heisterkamp A, Maier H. Acoustic stimulation of the human round window by laser-induced nonlinear optoacoustics. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8214. [PMID: 38589426 PMCID: PMC11001906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58129-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The feasibility of low frequency pure tone generation in the inner ear by laser-induced nonlinear optoacoustic effect at the round window was demonstrated in three human cadaveric temporal bones (TB) using an integral pulse density modulation (IPDM). Nanosecond laser pulses with a wavelength in the near-infrared (NIR) region were delivered to the round window niche by an optical fiber with two spherical lenses glued to the end and a viscous gel at the site of the laser focus. Using IPDM, acoustic tones with frequencies between 20 Hz and 1 kHz were generated in the inner ear. The sound pressures in scala tympani and vestibuli were recorded and the intracochlear pressure difference (ICPD) was used to calculate the equivalent sound pressure level (eq. dB SPL) as an equivalent for perceived loudness. The results demonstrate that the optoacoustic effect produced sound pressure levels ranging from 140 eq. dB SPL at low frequencies ≤ 200 Hz to 90 eq. dB SPL at 1 kHz. Therefore, the produced sound pressure level is potentially sufficient for patients requiring acoustic low frequency stimulation. Hence, the presented method offers a potentially viable solution in the future to provide the acoustic stimulus component in combined electro-acoustic stimulation with a cochlear implant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza Lengert
- Laser Zentrum Hannover E.V., Hollerithallee 8, 30419, Hannover, Germany
- NIFE, Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Tomanek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, VIANNA/NIFE, Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mohammad Ghoncheh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, VIANNA/NIFE, Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hinnerk Lohmann
- Laser Zentrum Hannover E.V., Hollerithallee 8, 30419, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nils Prenzler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, VIANNA/NIFE, Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Kalies
- Institute of Quantum Optics, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sonja Johannsmeier
- Laser Zentrum Hannover E.V., Hollerithallee 8, 30419, Hannover, Germany
- NIFE, Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tammo Ripken
- Laser Zentrum Hannover E.V., Hollerithallee 8, 30419, Hannover, Germany
- NIFE, Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Hannes Maier
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", Hannover Medical School, VIANNA/NIFE, Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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Bruchhage KL, Lupatsii M, Möllenkolk F, Leffers D, Kurabi A, Jürgens T, Graspeuntner S, Hollfelder D, Leichtle A. Hearing rehabilitation and microbial shift after middle ear surgery with Vibrant Soundbridge in patients with chronic otitis media. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2023; 280:3107-3118. [PMID: 36662266 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07795-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with otitis media (OM) encounter significant functional hearing impairment with conductive, or a combined hearing loss and long-term sequelae involving impaired speech/language development in children, reduced academic achievement and irreversible disorders of middle and inner ear requiring a long time therapy and/or multiple surgeries. In its persistent chronic form, Otitis media (COM) can often only be treated by undergoing ear surgery for hearing restoration. The persistent inflammatory reaction plays a major role, often caused by multi-resistant pathogens in the ear. Herein, we present outcomes of patients implanted with currently the only FDA approved active Middle Ear Implant Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), suffering from persistent COM. METHODS The study enrolled 42 patients, treated by performing middle ear (ME) surgery to different extents and implanted with the VSB to various structures in the ME. Included were 17 children and 25 adults that had recurrent and/or persisting OM and significant hearing loss. Preoperative and postoperative patients' audiometric data were evaluated and the benefit with VSB assessed using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory for adults and pediatric cohorts. The microbial spectrum of pathogens was assessed before and after surgery, exploring the colonization of the otopathogens, as well as the intestinal microbiome from individually burdened patients. RESULTS The mean functional gain is 29.7 dB HL (range from 10 to 56.2 dB HL) with a significant improvement in speech intelligibility in quiet. Following VSB implantation, no significant differences in coupling were observed at low complication rates. Postoperatively patients showed significantly increased benefit with VSB compared to the untreated situation, including less otorrhea, pain, medical visits, and medication intake, with no recurrent OM and significant bacterial shift in otopathogens. The analysis of the intestinal microbiome displayed a high abundance of bacterial strains that might be linked to chronic and persistent inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Functional ear surgery including rehabilitation with a VSB in patients suffering from COM present to be safe and effective. The successful acceptance accompanied by the improved audiological performance resulted in significant benefit with VSB, with a shift in the ear pathogens and altered microbiome and thus is a great opportunity to be treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Ludwig Bruchhage
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mariia Lupatsii
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Friederike Möllenkolk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - David Leffers
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Arwa Kurabi
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, San Diego, USA
| | - Tim Jürgens
- Institute of Acoustics, University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Simon Graspeuntner
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Hollfelder
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anke Leichtle
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany.
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Hollfelder D, Prein L, Leichtle A, Bruchhage KL, Jürgens T. Middle Ear Implant Usage Restores Subjective Listening Effort toward Normal in Complex Acoustic Scenes. Audiol Neurootol 2023:1-8. [PMID: 36634639 DOI: 10.1159/000528025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The amount of listening effort needed to understand speech in every-day life is an important outcome measure of the effectiveness of a hearing device. The main goal of this study was to assess subjective listening effort in patients implanted with an active middle ear implant Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) with and without using their speech processor in complex acoustic scenarios. METHODS Ten VSB users were measured using the adaptive categorical listening effort scaling (ACALES) method in four different acoustic scenarios, realized using a multichannel loudspeaker array. The four acoustic scenarios included both spatially simple and complex speech and noise arrangements that realistically simulated challenging every-day listening situations. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were adaptively varied during the measurement. Twelve normal-hearing (NH) listeners performed the same experiment as a control group. RESULTS Listening effort was significantly reduced in all tested acoustic scenarios when participants used their VSB. When using the VSB, SNRs corresponding to mild-to-moderate listening effort were found not to be statistically different from SNRs found in the NH control group. SNRs corresponding to extreme listening effort of VSB users approached NH values, indicating partial restoration of listening effort. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Usage of the middle ear implant VSB was found to restore subjective listening effort to normal at high SNRs completely, and at lower SNRs partially. The remaining gap at low SNRs may be due to lower effectiveness of signal processing at high noise levels or due to the microphone location effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Hollfelder
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Lukas Prein
- Institute of Acoustics, University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Anke Leichtle
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Karl-Ludwig Bruchhage
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tim Jürgens
- Institute of Acoustics, University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Waldmann B, Rocha Félix T, Bento M, Miranda C, Peixoto MC, Pratas R, English R, Correia da Silva V. In-vivo characterisation of an implanted microphone and totally implantable active middle ear implant. Int J Audiol 2021; 61:948-955. [PMID: 34704862 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1994158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To objectively evaluate acoustic sensitivity of the implanted microphone, and maximum stable gain of a totally implantable active middle ear implant. DESIGN Prospective, single centre evaluation. STUDY SAMPLE Fourteen adult patients. RESULTS Microphone sensitivity is approx. 10 dB lower than an externally worn conventional hearing aid, at frequencies up to 4000 Hz, and substantially lower at higher frequencies. The masking level due to microphone noise, which determines the softest test tones that can be detected, is estimated at <20 to <30 dB HL up to 1000 Hz, and <40 dB HL at higher frequencies. Maximum stable effective gain is the maximum amplification achievable without causing feedback whistling. In sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) cases, it is 30-40 dB at frequencies up to 2000 Hz, allowing to compensate for even the maximum recommended hearing loss (60-70 dB HL). In both SNHL and mixed hearing loss (MHL) cases, maximum stable effective gain is lower (+20 to -30 dB) around 3000-6000 Hz. CONCLUSIONS Microphone sensitivity is high enough to achieve aided thresholds of 20-40 dB HL. A strong correlation between actuator coupling efficiency and maximum stable effective gain implies that any effort to improve actuator efficiency should also increase the available gain.
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Barbara M, Covelli E, Filippi C, Volpini L, Monini S. Revision of active middle ear implants (AMEI): causes, surgical issues and rehabilitative transition at a single implanting center. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 278:4289-4294. [PMID: 33386437 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06565-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report on failures related to active middle ear implants (AMEI) surgery, within a series of subjects treated at a single Implanting Center. METHODS A retrospective review of 79 cases of implanted AMEI has been performed to report the failure ratio, the causes for the failure and the selected rehabilitative solution. The AMEI included 25 Vibrant Soundbridge® (Medel, Innsbruck, Austria), 20 as round window vibroplasty (RW-VSB) for mixed hearing loss, 5 as incus-vibroplasty for sensorineural hearing loss; 7 MET/Carina® (Cochlear, Melbourne, Australia), 2 MET for mixed and sensorineural hearing loss, 5 Carina for sensorineural hearing loss; 43 Esteem® (EnvoyMedical, St Paul, USA) for sensorineural hearing loss; 3 Maxum® (Ototronics, Texas, USA) for sensorineural hearing loss; 1 Codacs® (Cochlear, Melbourne, Australia) for severe mixed hearing loss. RESULTS The overall complication rate affected 20% of the implanted devices, individually ranging from 6.9 to 100%. Hardware system failures were recorded in all the AMEI, ranging from 10 to 50%. The alternative auditory rehabilitation included replacement of the same system in 2 cases, use of a conventional hearing aid in 3 cases, Cochlear implantation in 4 cases and implantation in the contralateral ear in 2 cases. CONCLUSION The present clinical experience showed that, in spite of the successful functional rate displayed by the majority of the AMEI implantees, complications may occur to a certain percentage of cases and should prompt the professionals to select alternative solutions, starting from the (re)adoption of a conventional hearing aid and ending up to Cochlear implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Barbara
- Otorhinolaryngologic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University Hospital Sant'Andrea, Sapienza University, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Covelli
- Otorhinolaryngologic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University Hospital Sant'Andrea, Sapienza University, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - C Filippi
- Otorhinolaryngologic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University Hospital Sant'Andrea, Sapienza University, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - L Volpini
- Otorhinolaryngologic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University Hospital Sant'Andrea, Sapienza University, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - S Monini
- Otorhinolaryngologic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University Hospital Sant'Andrea, Sapienza University, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy
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Takahashi M, Iwasaki S, Furutate S, Oka S, Oyamada S, Yasumura K. Active middle ear implant (vibrant soundbridge) in children with unilateral congenital aural atresia. Acta Otolaryngol 2021; 141:34-38. [PMID: 33043753 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2020.1823471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detailed studies have not been conducted on sound localization and speech perception in noise in patients with unilateral congenital aural atresia (UCAA). AIMS/OBJECTIVES To evaluate the benefits of the use of the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) for UCAA by performing audiometric and sound localization tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four children with UCAA underwent VSB (VORP 503) implantation from 2018 to 2019. Speech perception tests in noise were conducted using the Japanese monosyllable test. The spatial configuration for speech testing consisted of speech presented from the front and noise presented into the normal ear (S0N90). The sound localization test was conducted using nine loudspeakers equally distributed in a semicircle. RESULTS The children's speech perception in noise 6 months after VSB activation was significantly better than before activation (p < .05). Additionally, the children's sound localization ability after VSB activation was significantly better than before VSB activation. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE The benefits of VSB use in children with UCAA were revealed using audiometric and sound localization tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Takahashi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Iwasaki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sakiko Furutate
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Oka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shogo Oyamada
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunori Yasumura
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kanagawa Children’s Medical Center, Kanagawa, Japan
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Fröhlich L, Rahne T, Plontke SK, Oberhoffner T, Dahl R, Mlynski R, Dziemba O, Aristeidou A, Gadyuchko M, Koscielny S, Hoth S, Kropp MH, Mir-Salim P, Müller A. Intraoperative quantification of floating mass transducer coupling quality in active middle ear implants: a multicenter study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 278:2277-2288. [PMID: 32880736 PMCID: PMC8165065 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Evaluating the effectiveness of intraoperative auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to stimulation by the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) active middle ear implant for quantifying the implant’s floating mass transducer (FMT) coupling quality. Methods In a diagnostic multicentric study, patients (> 18 years) who received a VSB with different coupling modalities were included. Pre- and postoperative bone conduction thresholds, intraoperative VSB-evoked ABR thresholds (VSB-ABR) using a modified audio processor programmed to preoperative bone conduction thresholds, postoperative vibrogram thresholds, and postoperative VSB-ABR thresholds were measured. Coupling quality was calculated from the difference between the pure tone average at 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz (3PTA) vibrogram and postoperative 3PTA bone conduction thresholds. Results Twenty-three patients (13 males, 10 females, mean age 56.6 (± 12.5) years) were included in the study. Intraoperative VSB-ABR response thresholds could be obtained in all except one patient where the threshold was > 30 dB nHL. Postoperatively, an insufficient coupling of 36.7 dB was confirmed in this patient. In a Bland–Altman analysis of the intraoperative VSB-ABRs and coupling quality, the limits of agreement exceeded ± 10 dB, i.e., the maximum allowed difference considered as not clinically important but the variation was within the general precision of auditory brainstem responses to predict behavioral thresholds. Five outliers were identified. In two patients, the postoperative VSB-ABR thresholds were in agreement with the coupling quality, indicating a change of coupling before the postoperative testing. Conclusion The response thresholds recorded in this set-up have the potential to predict the VSB coupling quality and optimize postoperative audiological results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fröhlich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medicine Halle (Saale), Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Torsten Rahne
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medicine Halle (Saale), Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stefan K Plontke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medicine Halle (Saale), Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Tobias Oberhoffner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Dahl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robert Mlynski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Oliver Dziemba
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medicine of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Aristotelis Aristeidou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medicine of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maria Gadyuchko
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institute of Phoniatry/Pedaudiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Helios Clinic, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Sven Koscielny
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institute of Phoniatry/Pedaudiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hoth
- Department of ENT, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miriam H Kropp
- ORL Department Friedrichshain Clinic, Vivantes Hearing Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Parwis Mir-Salim
- ORL Department Friedrichshain Clinic, Vivantes Hearing Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Müller
- ORL Department Friedrichshain Clinic, Vivantes Hearing Center, Berlin, Germany
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Cebulla M, Hagen R, Rak K, Geiger U. Intraoperative determination of coupling efficiency of Carina ® middle ear implant by means of auditory evoked potentials. Int J Audiol 2020; 59:962-967. [PMID: 32692265 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1781941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Carina® implant system is a fully implantable active middle ear implant, which can be coupled to various structures in the middle ear, depending on the nature of the hearing loss and the middle ear anatomy. Currently, there is only one method for determining the coupling efficiency of the actuator of this implant system, and this is limited to incus coupling. DESIGN The proposed method is based on the intraoperative recording and evaluation of auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) while directly stimulating the hearing system via the actuator. The acoustic stimulation was achieved using an optimised broadband chirp stimulus (CE-Chirp®). STUDY SAMPLES This study included 10 subjects having moderate to severe sensorineural or mixed hearing loss. RESULTS The intraoperative ABR measurements show, that it is possible to derive reliable AEP thresholds via the actuator of the implant. The ABR thresholds correlate well with preoperative BC PTA4 thresholds (r = 0.87) while the postoperative OC-direct thresholds (in situ audiogram via the implant) correlate with r = 0.77. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that the direct actuator stimulation allow for reliable intraoperative ABR measurements and that the proposed method can be used to estimate the coupling efficiency of the actuator and facilitate its positioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cebulla
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Rudolf Hagen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Kristen Rak
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Ute Geiger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Wurzburg, Germany
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Rahne T, Skarzynski PH, Hagen R, Radeloff A, Lassaletta L, Barbara M, Plontke SK, Mlynski R. A retrospective European multicenter analysis of the functional outcomes after active middle ear implant surgery using the third generation vibroplasty couplers. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 278:67-75. [PMID: 32451668 PMCID: PMC7814408 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06064-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the safety and performance of three novel vibroplasty couplers that allow attachment of the floating mass transducer of a transcutaneous active middle ear implant (AMEI) to the round window (RW) membrane, the long process (LP), or the incus body and the short process (SP) of the incus. Methods Retrospective multicenter cohort study of 25 AMEI users with sensorineural or mixed hearing loss that were among the first implanted with an AMEI vibrating ossicular prosthesis in combination with the third generation of vibroplasty couplers between 2014 and 2016. Main Outcome Measures were bone-conduction pure-tone and vibroplasty thresholds, postoperative aided sound field thresholds and postoperative aided word recognition score (WRS). Results Bone conduction threshold changes of more than 10 dB in 4PTABC were observed in two subjects. A mean improvement of 57.8% in speech recognition was observed with a mean WRS at 65 dB SPL improving from 14.8% (SD 21.9%) preoperatively to a mean aided score of 72.6% (SD 18.6%). Sound field thresholds improved from an average 4PTASF of 64.1 dB HL (SD 9.8 dB HL) to 37.0 dB HL (SD 8.9 dB HL), resulting in a mean functional gain of 27.1 dB. There was no significant difference in WRS or functional gain between the coupler types. Conclusion Initial experience shows that all three third generation vibroplasty couplers represent safe and efficient attachment options for the FMT allowing the surgeon to choose the coupling type based on the present pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Rahne
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medicine Halle (Saale), Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Piotr Henryk Skarzynski
- Department of Teleaudiology and Screening, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw, Poland.,Heart Failure and Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Sensory Organs, Kajetany, Poland
| | - Rudolf Hagen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Radeloff
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Luis Lassaletta
- Department of Otolaryngology, La Paz University Hospital, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER-U761), Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maurizio Barbara
- NESMOS Department, Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, University Hospital Sant'Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefan K Plontke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medicine Halle (Saale), Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Robert Mlynski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Körner", University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Skarżyński H, Dziendziel B, Włodarczyk E, Skarżyński PH. Three-year audiological outcomes of the latest generation middle ear transducer (MET) implant. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 277:3013-3019. [PMID: 32405814 PMCID: PMC7547029 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-06031-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henryk Skarżyński
- Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Surgery Clinic, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Mokra 17, Warsaw/Kajetany, 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Beata Dziendziel
- Teleaudiology and Screening Department, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Mokra 17, Warsaw/Kajetany, 08-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Włodarczyk
- Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Surgery Clinic, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Mokra 17, Warsaw/Kajetany, 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
| | - Piotr H Skarżyński
- Teleaudiology and Screening Department, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Mokra 17, Warsaw/Kajetany, 08-830 Nadarzyn, Poland. .,Heart Failure and Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. .,Institute of Sensory Organs, Warsaw/Kajetany, Poland.
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12
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Wardenga N, Snik AFM, Kludt E, Waldmann B, Lenarz T, Maier H. Hearing Aid Treatment for Patients with Mixed Hearing Loss. Part II: Speech Recognition in Comparison to Direct Acoustic Cochlear Stimulation. Audiol Neurootol 2020; 25:133-142. [PMID: 32007992 DOI: 10.1159/000504285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The conventional therapy for severe mixed hearing loss is middle ear surgery combined with a power hearing aid. However, a substantial group of patients with severe mixed hearing loss cannot be treated adequately with today's state-of-the-art (SOTA) power hearing aids, as predicted by the accompanying part I of this publication, where we compared the available maximum power output (MPO) and gain from technical specifications to requirements for optimum benefit using a common fitting rule. Here, we intended to validate the theoretical assumptions from part I experimentally in a mixed hearing loss cohort fitted with SOTA power hearing aids. Additionally, we compared the results with an implantable hearing device that circumvents the impaired middle ear, directly stimulating the cochlea, as this might be a better option. OBJECTIVES Speech recognition outcomes obtained from patients with severe mixed hearing loss supplied acutely with a SOTA hearing aid were studied to validate the outcome predictions as described in part I. Further, the results obtained with hearing aids were compared to those in direct acoustic cochlear implant (DACI) users. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty patients (37 ears with mixed hearing loss) were provided and fitted with a SOTA power hearing aid. Before and after an acclimatization period of at least 4 weeks, word recognition scores (WRS) in quiet and in noise were studied, as well as the speech reception threshold in noise (SRT). The outcomes were compared retrospectively to a second group of 45 patients (47 ears) using the DACI device. Based on the severity of the mixed hearing loss and the available gain and MPO of the SOTA hearing aid, the hearing aid and DACI users were subdivided into groups with prediction of sufficient, partially insufficient, or very insufficient hearing aid performance. RESULTS The patients with predicted adequate SOTA hearing aid performance indeed showed the best WRS in quiet and in noise when compared to patients with predicted inferior outcomes. Insufficient hearing aid performance at one or more frequencies led to a gradual decrease in hearing aid benefit, validating the criteria used here and in the accompanying paper. All DACI patients showed outcomes at the same level as the adequate hearing aid performance group, being significantly better than those of the groups with inadequate hearing aid performance. Whereas WRS in quiet and noise were sensitive to insufficient gain or output, showing significant differences between the SOTA hearing aid and DACI groups, the SRT in noise was less sensitive. CONCLUSIONS Limitations of outcomes in mixed hearing loss individuals due to insufficient hearing aid performance can be accurately predicted by applying a commonly used fitting rule and the 35-dB dynamic range rule on the hearing aid specifications. Evidently, when outcomes in patients with mixed hearing loss using the most powerful hearing aids are insufficient, bypassing the middle ear with a powerful active middle ear implant or direct acoustic implant can be a promising alternative treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Wardenga
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany, .,Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany,
| | - Ad F M Snik
- Department of Biophysics, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eugen Kludt
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Lenarz
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hannes Maier
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Burian A, Gerlinger I, Toth T, Piski Z, Rath G, Bako P. Stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty - A novel surgical solution of advanced otosclerosis and its place among existing therapeutic modalities - Hungarian single institutional experiences. Auris Nasus Larynx 2019; 47:55-64. [PMID: 31079859 DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To delineate the advantages and steps of stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty, to assess the safety and efficacy of this method via the authors' experiences, and to overview the literature regarding other surgical options in advanced otosclerosis determining the place of stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty in the therapeutic range. METHODS Four patients were enrolled in the study presenting severe mixed hearing loss of at least one side on pure tone audiometry. Based on complementary audiological examinations including stapedial reflex test and multifrequency tympanometry, all cases were suspected as advanced otosclerosis. Stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty - the combination of laser stapedotomy and simultaneous Vibrant Soundbridge implantation - was performed in each patient. Preoperative pure tone average, speech recognition thresholds and word recognition scores were compared to one-year postoperative free-field values with the implant switched on focusing on functional gain. RESULTS Among 4 participants (3 females, 1 male) the mean age (SD) was 66 years (35). In three cases Nitinol, in one case NitiBond piston was inserted. One-year postoperative free-field functional gains were 30 dB, 34 dB, 42 dB and 51 dB, respectively. One-year postoperative free-field speech recognition thresholds were 45 dB, 45 dB, 49 dB and 50 dB, respectively, while word recognition scores were 70%, 70%, 70% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION Postoperative results in our serie regarding pure tone average and word recognition score proved to be better than those found in the literature. Stapedotomy with incus vibroplasty - through sufficient air-bone gap closure and simultaneous sensorineural component management - seems to be a promising surgical solution in advanced otosclerosis, requiring further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andras Burian
- University of Pécs, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pécs, 7621, Munkácsy M Str 2, Hungary.
| | - Imre Gerlinger
- University of Pécs, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pécs, 7621, Munkácsy M Str 2, Hungary.
| | - Tamas Toth
- University of Pécs, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pécs, 7621, Munkácsy M Str 2, Hungary.
| | - Zalan Piski
- University of Pécs, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pécs, 7621, Munkácsy M Str 2, Hungary.
| | - Gabor Rath
- University of Pécs, Department of Paediatrics, 7623, Pécs, József Attila Str 7, Hungary.
| | - Peter Bako
- University of Pécs, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pécs, 7621, Munkácsy M Str 2, Hungary.
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Barbara M, Volpini L, Covelli E, Romeo M, Filippi C, Monini S. Complications after round window vibroplasty. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2019; 276:1601-1605. [PMID: 30915542 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-019-05402-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the complication rate in adult subjects with open cavities that were implanted with the Vibrant Soundbridge implant, using the round window (RW) vibroplasty procedure. METHODS From 2009 to 2014, 21 adult subjects with mixed hearing loss, all with sequel from open tympanoplasty surgery, underwent RW vibroplasty (RW-VPL). Surgical complications were recorded and a standard minimal approach was used as a basis for all the cases that needed revision. RESULTS The mean follow-up was 42 months (range 12-76). Complications occurred in nearly half of the cases and included: cable extrusion (23.8%), hardware failure (14.3%), profound hearing loss (9.5%), and inadequate RW coupling (9.5%). A minimal endaural approach (MEA) was used in the majority of the cases (86.7%), while the extended endaural approach was adopted for those patients requiring explantation with or without replacement (14.3%). CONCLUSIONS RW-VPL can be considered a possible option for the rehabilitation of auditory impairment derived from an open tympanoplasty procedure due to cholesteatoma. The procedure may lead to minor/major complications that may require a surgical revision. By adopting an MEA, it has been possible to manage all the situations in which functionality of the device is worth being preserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Barbara
- NESMOS Department, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. .,ENT Clinic Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy.
| | - Luigi Volpini
- NESMOS Department, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Covelli
- NESMOS Department, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Romeo
- NESMOS Department, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Filippi
- NESMOS Department, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Simonetta Monini
- NESMOS Department, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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15
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Müller C, Zahnert T, Ossmann S, Neudert M, Bornitz M. Vibroplasty combined with tympanic membrane reconstruction in middle ear ventilation disorders. Hear Res 2019; 378:166-175. [PMID: 30878272 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Although the Vibrant Soundbridge is one of the most frequently used active middle ear implants, data regarding how middle ear ventilation disorders may affect the transmission behavior of its floating mass transducer are still insufficient. Studies involving coupling the floating mass transducer to the stapes head are particularly lacking. This temporal bone study evaluated the influence of simulated middle ear ventilation disorders on the middle ear transfer function in the reconstructed middle ear. The middle ear transfer function was measured using Laser Doppler Vibrometry after vibroplasty onto the stapes head, with or without tympanic membrane reconstruction. Middle ear ventilation disorders were simulated through changes in static pressure via the external ear channel with a maximum pressure of +3 kPa. Slice thickness of tympanic membrane reconstruction material was measured using micro-CT. When the reconstructed ossicular chain and the reconstructed tympanic membrane were mechanically excited by the floating mass transducer under conditions of ambient static pressure, the transmission behavior was found to be independent of the type of tissue used. Increase in static pressure up to +3 kPa caused maximum low frequency transmission loss of 15 dB when elastic grafts were used and 5 dB when stiff tissue was inserted. At high frequencies, measured loss of up to 5 dB was relatively independent of the tissue stiffness. Increase in static pressure led to displacement of the tissues towards the vestibulum and caused stiffening, especially of the annular ligament. Stiffening-induced transmission losses were mainly found at low frequencies and could not be compensated by the floating mass transducer in this range. Above 1300 Hz, the continuous force spectrum of the actuator sufficiently protected against loss of amplitude. To minimize postoperative transmission loss due to persisting ventilation disorders, choosing a very stiff tympanic membrane reconstruction material seems to be appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Müller
- Technische Universitaet Dresden, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ear Research Center, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Thomas Zahnert
- Technische Universitaet Dresden, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ear Research Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Steffen Ossmann
- Technische Universitaet Dresden, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ear Research Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marcus Neudert
- Technische Universitaet Dresden, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ear Research Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Bornitz
- Technische Universitaet Dresden, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ear Research Center, Dresden, Germany
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Brkic FF, Riss D, Auinger A, Zoerner B, Arnoldner C, Baumgartner WD, Gstoettner W, Vyskocil E. Long-Term Outcome of Hearing Rehabilitation With An Active Middle Ear Implant. Laryngoscope 2018; 129:477-481. [PMID: 30284273 PMCID: PMC6585801 DOI: 10.1002/lary.27513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective To assess the audiological and long‐term medical and technical follow‐up outcomes of an active middle ear implant. Methods This was a retrospective medical chart analysis of all patients provided with an active middle ear implant in a tertiary academic medical referral center between September 1, 1998, and July 31, 2015. Main outcome measures were medical and technical complications, revisions, reimplantations, explantations, coupling approaches, mean time of use, pre‐ and postoperative hearing thresholds, functional hearing gain across frequencies (250–4,000 Hz), and Freiburg monosyllablic word test at 65 dB. Results One hundred and three patients were identified. Fifteen were implanted bilaterally (n = 118 Vibrant Soundbridge devices [MED‐EL, Innsbruck, Austria]). Seventy‐seven devices were implanted for sensorineural and 41 for mixed and conductive hearing loss. Patients used the implant for 6.7 years (range 0.7 months–17.9 years) on average. Ninety‐one patients (77.12%) were using the device at the end of the observation period. An overall complication rate of 16.1% was observed. The revision and explantation rates were higher for devices implanted between 2004 and 2006. The device failure rate was 3.4%. Audiological evaluation showed significant hearing gains for both hearing loss patient groups. Conclusion This long‐term follow‐up reveals the reliability of the active middle ear implant in a single center. Overall complication rate and device failure rate are acceptable. The complication rate was higher during implementation of alternative coupling approaches. The audiological benefit was satisfactory in patients with all hearing loss types. The majority of implanted patients used the implant at the end of the observation period. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:477–481, 2019
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Affiliation(s)
- Faris F Brkic
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Riss
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alice Auinger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Zoerner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Arnoldner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolf-Dieter Baumgartner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Gstoettner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erich Vyskocil
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Maier H, Baumann U, Baumgartner WD, Beutner D, Caversaccio MD, Keintzel T, Kompis M, Lenarz T, Magele A, Mewes T, Müller A, Rader T, Rahne T, Schraven SP, Schwab B, Sprinzl GM, Strauchmann B, Todt I, Wesarg T, Wollenberg B, Plontke SK. Minimal Reporting Standards for Active Middle Ear Hearing Implants. Audiol Neurootol 2018; 23:105-115. [PMID: 30196279 DOI: 10.1159/000490878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently no standardized method for reporting audiological, surgical and subjective outcome measures in clinical trials with active middle ear implants (AMEIs). It is often difficult to compare studies due to data incompatibility and to perform meta-analyses across different centres is almost impossible. A committee of ENT and audiological experts from Germany, Austria and Switzerland decided to address this issue by developing new minimal standards for reporting the outcomes of AMEI clinical trials. The consensus presented here aims to provide a recommendation to enable better inter-study comparability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Maier
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Uwe Baumann
- University Hospital Frankfurt, ENT/Audiological Acoustics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Dirk Beutner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marco D Caversaccio
- University Hospital, Inselspital Department of ORL, Head and Neck Surgery, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Keintzel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels, Austria
| | - Martin Kompis
- University Hospital, Inselspital Department of ORL, Head and Neck Surgery, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Torsten Mewes
- Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Kliniken Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Alexander Müller
- Vivantes Hearing Center, ORL Department Friedrichshain Clinic, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Rader
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Audiological Acoustics, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Torsten Rahne
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sebastian P Schraven
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery "Otto Koerner", University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | | | - Bernd Strauchmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, UniversityHospital Zürich, Head and Neck Surgery, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ingo Todt
- Department of Otolaryngology, Klinikum Bielefeld, Head and Neck Surgery, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Wesarg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Wollenberg
- Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Clinic Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Stefan K Plontke
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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18
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Barbara M, Volpini L, Filippi C, Atturo F, Monini S. A new semi-implantable middle ear implant for sensorineural hearing loss: three-years follow-up in a pilot patient's group. Acta Otolaryngol 2018; 138:31-35. [PMID: 28854835 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2017.1371327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this article is to report on the long-term follow-up of a new semi-implantable middle ear device utilized for restoration of moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss in a first series of subjects. METHODS Three subjects, affected by sensorineural hearing loss, have undergone implantation of Maxum® middle ear implant, via a transcanal approach. They all underwent an auditory assessment, paying particular attention on the pre- versus post-operative hearing levels under the unaided, best-fitted hearing aided and implant-aided conditions. The audiometric evaluation has been repeated 3 years after implantation and implemented by questionnaires aiming at the evaluation of the quality of life. RESULTS The post-operative hearing threshold and discrimination in quiet appear to be similar or better than those provided by conventional hearing aids, with a concomitant improvement of the subjects' quality of life. The application of the present device showed to be easy and reproducible, with no severe adverse effects recorded at the 3-years follow-up. Mild issues due to the external component were also observed, such as difficulty of keeping it continuously in place due to excess canal sweating in one subject, and a temporary loss of stability due to occurring irregularities of the external coating in another subject. CONCLUSIONS Long-term, preliminary data reveal that the Maxum® device may provide equal or better functional gain and word recognition scores in quiet in patients with moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss, in comparison to optimally fitted hearing aids, with a satisfactory improvement of their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Barbara
- Nesmos Department, ENT Unit, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Volpini
- Nesmos Department, ENT Unit, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Filippi
- Nesmos Department, ENT Unit, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Atturo
- Nesmos Department, ENT Unit, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Simonetta Monini
- Nesmos Department, ENT Unit, Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Active middle ear implants are widely used to treat adults and children with sensorineural, conductive, or mixed hearing loss. Currently, there is no adequate method to determine the performance of active middle ear implant systems. DESIGN The proposed method is based on measuring the auditory brainstem response while stimulating the hearing system via the active middle ear implant (Vibrant SoundbridgeTM, VSB; MEDEL, Austria). The acoustic stimulation was achieved via an optimised chirp stimulus (CE-Chirp), implemented in the Eclipse system (Interacoustics, Denmark). To compensate for the frequency-specific delays in the VSB system, the underlying model function of the CE-Chirp was adjusted accordingly (VSB-CE-Chirp). Study samples: The study includes 12 subjects having mild to profound sensorineural, conductive or mixed hearing loss. RESULTS The use of an optimised VSB-CE-Chirp instead of the CE-Chirp increases significantly the ABR wave V amplitudes (1.63 times) and so also increases their identifiability (by 15.2%). On average, wave V could be identified at a 7.5 dB lower stimulation level. CONCLUSION The constructed VSB-CE-Chirp stimulus, after it had been transmitted through the VSB system, follows well the shape of the original CE-Chirp. Preliminary measurements in VSB patients demonstrated a significantly improved ABR amplitude with the VSB-CE-Chirp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cebulla
- a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery , University Hospital of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany and
| | - Ute Geiger
- a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery , University Hospital of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany and
| | - Rudolf Hagen
- a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery , University Hospital of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany and
| | - Andreas Radeloff
- a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery , University Hospital of Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany and.,b Department of Otorhinolaryngology , European Medical School, Carl von Ossietzky University , Oldenburg , Germany
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Fiorino F, Amadori M. Mastoidectomy dimensions for direct acoustic cochlear implantation: a human cadaveric temporal bone study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2017; 274:2155-2160. [PMID: 28246895 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-017-4504-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present paper was to acquire information about the mastoidectomy size necessary to obtain an optimal placement of the direct acoustic cochlear implant actuator and fixation system. Ten human cadaveric temporal bones were dissected and implanted with direct acoustic cochlear implant. Mastoidectomy size was determined after implantation in each temporal bone. A bone bed for the receiver/stimulator, mastoidectomy and a large posterior tympanotomy were drilled out. The mastoidectomy was progressively enlarged posteriorly in small steps until the actuator template was judged adequately oriented to enable passage of the rod through the posterior tympanotomy without any contact with the bony walls. The distance between different landmarks in the mastoidectomy was measured. All measured values showed a high degree of consistency, with limited median absolute deviation values. One of the most critical measure, i.e. the distance between the posterior margin of the mastoidectomy to the superior rim of the bony external ear canal wall, ranged from 13 to 16 mm with a median value of 15 mm. Prior knowledge of the ideal size of the mastoidectomy for direct acoustic cochlear implant facilitates the positioning of the fixation system and may save time during implant surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Fiorino
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Otorinolaringoiatria, Department of Otolaryngology, Ospedale Mater Salutis, Azienda Unita Locale Socio Sanitaria 9 Scaligera, Via Gianella 1, 37045, Legnago, VR, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Amadori
- Department of Otolaryngology, Ospedale di Mirano, Azienda Unita Locale Socio Sanitaria 3 Serenissima, 30035, Mirano, VE, Italy
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Abstract
Implantable hearing aids are gaining importance for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss and also for mixed hearing loss. The various hearing aid systems, combined with different middle ear situations, give rise to a wide range of different reconstructions. This article attempts to summarize the current knowledge concerning the mechanical interaction between active middle ear implants (AMEIs) and the normal or reconstructed middle ear. Some basic characteristics of the different AMEIs are provided in conjunction with the middle ear mechanics. The interaction of AMEIs and middle ear and the influence of various boundary conditions are discussed in more detail.
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