Purpose To evaluate the long-term benefits in hearing-related quality of life, patient
satisfaction and wearing time of patients rehabilitated with an active transcutaneous
bone-conduction device. Adverse events and audiological outcomes are reported as secondary
outcomes. Methods This retrospective, mono-centric cohort analysis involves 16 adults
with conductive or mixed hearing loss with a mean device experience of 51.25 months.
Patient-reported outcome measures were assessed using the short version of the Speech,
Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12-B) and the German version of the Audio
Processor Satisfaction Questionnaire (APSQ). Audiological outcomes as well as incidence
of adverse events were obtained from patients ' charts. Results The hearing-related
quality of life improved significantly within all subscales of the SSQ12-B scoring
a mean overall of 2.95 points. Patient satisfaction measured with the APSQ scored
8.8 points on average. Wearing times differed considerably and patients with lower
levels of education seemed to use their device longer compared to patients with academic
education. Eight minor adverse events were documented, all of which resolved during
follow-up. The mean gain in word recognition score at the last follow-up measured
at 65 dB was 75.9%, while speech reception threshold was lowered by 35.1 dB. Conclusion
Even after several years, patients report significant benefits in hearing-related
quality of life and device satisfaction. In combination with a low rate of minor adverse
events and significantly improved audiological outcomes, the device is considered
as a comfortable and effective option in hearing rehabilitation.
