SCIENCE UPDATE

New scientific studies summarized for you

The Active Middle Ear Implant VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE for older adults

(Original title: Is Age a Limiting Factor for Audiological Results in Active Middle Ear Implants? J Pers Med. 2023 Nov 26;13(12):1650. Morales-Puebla JM, Lassaletta L, et al.)

Key message:

The VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE Active Middle Ear Implant is an effective hearing solution for patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss, regardless of age. Concerning auditory benefits, surgical outcomes and quality of life improvements with the VSB, no significant differences were observed between users younger than 60 years and older than 60 years.

Background:

The VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE (VSB) is an alternative solution for candidates with conductive or mixed hearing loss who cannot use conventional hearing aids. They are also an alternative to reconstructive ear surgery and bone conduction implants. This study compared outcomes with the VSB active middle ear implant (AMEI) for adults younger than 60 years and older than 60 years.

Cochlear implants are standard of care for even the oldest old, but with the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE no upper age limit has yet been established.

Methods:

• Retrospective study (2008 – 2022), mean follow-up: 8 years
• Total number of participants: n=20
• Participant age: 24-79
• Participants were divided into two age groups:
  • Group 1, n=11, aged <60 years
  • Group 2, n=9, aged ≥ 60 years
• Assessments:
  • Audiological evaluation.
    • pre-operatively just before implantation: PTA4 air and bone conduction thresholds, maximum speech discrimination scores for dysillabic words in quiet, unaided.
    • post-operatively 12 months after first fitting: PTA4 air and bone conduction thresholds, maximum speech discrimination scores for dysillabic words in quiet, with VSB.
  • Subjective quality of life benefits with VSB using a series of questionnaires.
    • Postoperative: 12 months after first fitting.

Results:

• All study participants used their VSB audio processor daily.
• Mean functional gain: 32 dB for the younger (<60 years) group and 30 dB for the older (≥60 years) group.
• Speech discrimination scores at 65 dB improved from 19% to 95% in the younger group and
  from 31% to 84% in the older group.
• All 20 subjects reported positive changes and added quality of life benefits with the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE. No significant differences were observed between the two age groups.

Link to open access article: Is Age a Limiting Factor for Audiological Results in Active Middle Ear Implants? – PMC (nih.gov)