Direct Drive Simulation-Preoperative Sound Simulation of "Vibroplasty-Hearing" in Patients With Mixed Hearing Loss.

Direct Drive Simulation-Preoperative Sound Simulation of "Vibroplasty-Hearing" in Patients With Mixed Hearing Loss.:

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Direct Drive Simulation-Preoperative Sound Simulation of "Vibroplasty-Hearing" in Patients With Mixed Hearing Loss.

Otol Neurotol. 2020 Feb 06;:

Authors: Kaulitz S, Großmann W, Steinbach J, Hackenberg S, Mlynski R, Rak K, Schraven SP, Hagen R

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Validation of the preoperative sound simulation test for vibroplasty-hearing so-called "Direct Drive Simulation" (DDS) in case of mixed hearing loss.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center with a large hearing implant program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Comparison of sound impression during preoperative Direct Drive Simulation, and postoperative testing with the activated active middle ear implant (AMEI) under free-field condition and in daily routine.

PATIENTS: Fifty-four data sets from 18 patients with mixed hearing loss with a mean age of 60.78 ± 3.18 were included.

RESULTS: Comparing the sound impression during DDS preoperatively versus free-field testing with the implanted AMEI, no significant differences were found. DDS offers a slightly better sound quality than the AMEI in daily routine, fitting well to the ideal listening situation in DDS versus some background noise in daily routine.

CONCLUSION: The DDS offers the possibility of a realistic preoperative sound simulation of the "vibroplasty-hearing" in cases of mixed hearing loss. This probably facilitates patient's decision towards a vibroplasty. The audiologist as well as the surgeon get additional information regarding the indication especially when audiologic inclusion criteria are critical. Thus, the DDS is a useful extension of preoperative diagnostics before vibroplasty.

PMID: 32032295 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]