Multicenter Results With an Active Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implant in Patients With Single-sided Deafness.

Objective: To evaluate the audiological and subjective benefit from hearing rehabilitation with an active bone conduction implant in subjects with single-sided sensorineural deafness (SSD).

Study Design: Prospective, multicenter, single-subject repeated measures.

Setting: Tertiary referral center, five clinics in Germany and Switzerland.

The Lübeck flowchart for functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of aural atresia and microtia.

Objective: Current strategies for functional rehabilitation of microtia-atresia patients with bone-anchored implants or surgical atresia repair have been extended by the feasibility of active middle ear implants. The aim of the present research is to evaluate a new flowchart of the treatment of these patients that considers active middle ear implants.

Patients: Congenital aural atresia and microtia.

Application of the Vibrant Soundbridge in bilateral congenital atresia in toddlers.

Conclusion: The Vibrant Soundbridge offers an excellent audiologic rehabilitation for toddlers with microtia and atresia. It provides direct stimulation of the cochlea and straightforward adaption to the given anatomical structures. The 'posterior atresia incision' preserves the physical integrity of the tissue layers around the ear remnant, which is essential for an aesthetic auricular reconstruction.

Application of the Vibrant Soundbridge to unilateral osseous atresia cases.

Objectives/hypothesis: Patients with high-grade atresia-microtia suffer from a combined malformation of the outer and middle ears, typically leading to a severe hearing impairment. Long-term results of middle ear reconstruction with tympanoplasty are often insufficient due to persistent air-bone gaps, and new techniques in hearing rehabilitation are required. The objective of this research is to evaluate the active middle ear implant, the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), for hearing rehabilitation of patients with unilateral osseous aural atresia.