New perspectives for middle ear implants: first results in otosclerosis with mixed hearing loss

Laryngoscope. 2007 Mar;117(3):552-5. doi: 10.1097/MLG.0b013e31802dfc59.

Abstract

Middle ear implantation is an efficient procedure to restore moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss (HL) in selected patients. Implantation of such devices requires ossicular chain integrity. Patients suffering from otosclerosis with mixed HL should be eligible for this treatment after stapes surgery with air-bone gap closure. To address this issue, we report four cases of middle ear implantation after or during stapes surgery. Results and complications obtained with Vibrant SoundBridge, MedEl and Middle Ear Transducer, Otologics are reported. Audiologic results were similar to those obtained in cases of sensorineural HL. One case of postoperative labyrinthitis was observed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Auditory Perception / physiology
  • Bone Conduction / physiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural / etiology
  • Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ossicular Prosthesis*
  • Ossicular Replacement / methods*
  • Otosclerosis / complications
  • Otosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Otosclerosis / surgery*
  • Prosthesis Design