Patient-reported long-term benefit with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term benefits in hearing-related quality of life, patient satisfaction and wearing time of patients rehabilitated with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device. Adverse events and audiological outcomes are reported as secondary outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective, mono-centric cohort analysis involves 16 adults with conductive or mixed hearing loss with a mean device experience of 51.25 months. Patient-reported outcome measures were assessed using the short version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12-B) and the German version of the Audio Processor Satisfaction Questionnaire (APSQ). Audiological outcomes as well as incidence of adverse events were obtained from patients´ charts.

Results

The hearing-related quality of life improved significantly within all subscales of the SSQ12-B scoring a mean overall of 2.95 points. Patient satisfaction measured with the APSQ scored 8.8 points on average. Wearing times differed considerably and patients with lower levels of education seemed to use their device longer compared to patients with academic education. Eight minor adverse events were documented, all of which resolved during follow-up. The mean gain in word recognition score at the last follow-up measured at 65 dB was 75.9%, while speech reception threshold was lowered by 35.1 dB.

Conclusion

Even after several years, patients report significant benefits in hearing-related quality of life and device satisfaction. In combination with a low rate of minor adverse events and significantly improved audiological outcomes, the device is considered as a comfortable and effective option in hearing rehabilitation.

[Major sickle cell anaemia and hypoacusia: about 112 cases in Yopougon, Côte d'Ivoire]

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of major sickle cell anaemia on the auditory function of the patients. It was a prospective survey conducted in the university hospital of Yopougon (Republic of Côte d'Ivoire). The auditory function of 112 major sickle cell anaemia patients 5- to 40-five-years-old, was compared with 112 healthy controls. 17% (19/112) of major sickle cell anaemia patients presented hearing loss from 30 dB to 65 dB versus 4% of controls. The average age of deaf patients was 26-years-old (7 years to 40-years-old). The sex-ratio was 0,73. The SC form with 47% (9/19) of deafness was the form the most frequently found followed by form SS, 37% (7/19) and form S beta+ thalassaemia 16% (3/19). The form S beta 0 thalassaemia did not record deafness patients. However the form having shown the highest rate of attack was the form S beta+ thalassaemia with 25% (3/12) followed by form SC 21% (9/43) and form SS 14% (7/51) of deafness. Deafness was generally light 73, 7% of the cases and often bilateral (52.6% of the cases). The audiometric loss affected both extremes of the hearing range, but was more significant in lower tones (58% of cases). Higher tones represented 5% of the cases. It was often sensorineural hearing loss 58% of the cases. Mixed hearing loss represented 42% of the cases.