HNO | 2021
[Hearing rehabilitation with the Vibrant Soundbridge in patients with congenital middle ear malformation].
Abstract
BACKGROUND\nCongenital aural atresia, which is usually unilateral, causes hearing loss and aesthetic impairment. Besides tympanoplasty with/without canalplasty and bone conduction devices, active middle ear implants are also available for functional rehabilitation.\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\nThis article aims to present a\xa0contemporary review on the treatment possibilities for middle ear malformations, with a\xa0focus on audiological rehabilitation with the Vibrant Soundbridge.\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nA selective literature search for treatment possibilities was performed in PubMed up to October\xa02020, and personal clinical experiences are reported.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe Vibrant Soundbridge, which is approved for children ≥\u202f5\xa0years, is suitable for treatment of middle ear malformations with a\xa0Jahrsdoerfer score ≥\u202f5. Although implantation of a\xa0Vibrant Soundbridge is surgically more demanding than implantation of a\xa0bone conduction device, the method is safe, delivers good auditory results (superior to bone conduction devices in terms of speech understanding and spatial hearing), does not involve intensive postsurgical care, and rarely requires revision surgery. The Vibrant Soundbridge can be coupled to (remnants of) the ossicular chain or the round window.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe Vibrant Soundbridge is an appropriate treatment method in patients with middle ear malformations who have suitable anatomical preconditions.