Long-term functional outcome and satisfaction of patients with an active middle ear implant for sensorineural hearing loss compared to a matched population with conventional hearing aids

The objectives of the study were to review the results of an active middle ear implant for sensorineural hearing loss in patients who were unable to wear or did not benefit from conventional hearing aids in comparison to patients with a matched degree of hearing loss successfully fitted with a conventional hearing aid. A retrospective chart review of 10 patients (10 ears) after implantation of an active middle ear implant and 12 patients (13 ears) with conventional hearing aids in one tertiary referral center was performed. Intervention for sensorineural hearing loss was the implantation of an active middle ear implant in one group or fitting of conventional hearing aids in the other group. Outcome measures were pure-tone audiometry (auditory thresholds, functional gain), speech audiometry (Freiburg Monosyllabic Test in quiet and in noise) and a quality-of-life questionnaire (Glasgow Benefit Inventory). Average functional gain was 25.2 ± 8.6 and 14.6 ± 10.8 dB, speech recognition score in noise was 36.6 ± 18.4 and 31.2 ± 19.2 % and in quiet was 66.0 ± 23.2 and 61.5 ± 23.8 %, Glasgow Benefit Inventory total score was 38.3 ± 32.3 and 24.8 ± 22.2 in patients with active middle ear implants and conventional hearing aids, respectively. In two patient groups matched for degree of sensorineural hearing loss, active middle ear implants provided comparable speech recognition and superior functional gain and quality of life compared to conventional hearing aids.