[Semi-implantable hearing aids for sensorineural hearing loss and combined hearing loss: experiences at the German Armed Forces Hospital in Ulm]

Abstract

In recent years semi-implantable hearing aids have become an established option in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss. In Germany two semi-implantable systems are available, namely the MedEl Soundbridge system and the Otologics MET system, both of which are active middle ear implants. Since 1996 almost 3,500 Soundbridge systems and 300 MET systems have been implanted world-wide. The majority of patients who have received semi-implantable hearing aids consider them to be superior to conventional hearing aids in many respects. Reported benefits include improved speech intelligibility (especially in noise), better sound quality, a more natural sounding own voice and the general advantages of an open ear canal. Implantable hearing systems can be used for a wider range of indications than conventional hearing aids. They are particularly useful in the treatment of patients with high-frequency hearing loss and patients with combined hearing loss. An analysis of the hearing outcomes that have thus far been reported for all patients with a hearing implant shows an average improvement in the hearing threshold by 15 dB, which corresponds to an improvement in hearing of more than 30%. As a consequence semi-implantable hearing systems are an excellent addition to the existing range of conventional hearing aids.