Long-term outcomes of retrospective case series of middle ear implantation with Vibrant Soundbridge in children with congenital aural atresia

Purpose to assess audiological performance in quiet and noise, quality of life and side effects of Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) in children with congenital aural atresia (CAA). Methods A retrospective study including consecutive patients with unilateral or bilateral CAA implanted with VSB from 2009 to 2020 in a tertiary referral centre. Results 18 patients with CAA and a present stapes were included (3 simultaneous bilateral VSB implants) and 21 ears: 17 VSB were attached to the short incus process, and four to the stapes. Age at implantation ranged from 4.7 to 15.8 years. Average follow-up was 6.5 years (+/- 3.7 years). In unilateral VSB, air conduction pure tone average (ACPTA) thresholds increased from 75.3 +/- 15.2 to 32.6 +/- 8.3 dB post-operatively (VSB activated) (n = 15; p < 0.01). The speech reception threshold (SRT) and the word recognition score (WRS) were significantly improved from 81.5 +/- 10.4 to 43.9 +/- 7.6 dB and 0% to 84.8 +/- 8.5% postoperatively (n = 15; p < 0.01). The signal to noise ratio (SNR) was significantly improved from 2.1 +/- 2.9 dB VSB inactivated to 0.3 +/- 2.7 dB VSB activated (n = 15; p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in performance according to floating mass transducer (FMT) placement. 5/15 children were non-users at last follow-up in unilateral VSB and 0/3 in bilateral. Conclusions CAA ears with VSB activated had a significant improvement of ACPTA, WRS, SRT and SNR. A third of patients with unilateral CAA became non-users at last follow-up. The main challenge is to target the indications for the implantation of the VSB to avoid its discontinuation.