SS06: ACTIVE MIDDLE EAR IMPLANTS IN CONDUCTIVE AND MIXED HEARING LOSS
Tuesday 23rd / 10:30 am / Room Islas Canarias
In patients with mixed hearing loss, application of a conventional air-conduction device might be troublesome, because it not only has to compensate for the whole air-bone gap, but also for part of the sensorineural hearing loss. This implies high amplification and consequently, serious feed-back problems. Furthermore, an earmould is contra-indicated when aural atresia, or chronic otitis is present. An alternative is the use of a bone-conductor, such as the Baha, which will close the air-bone gap. However, even with a powerful Baha, little can be done to compensate for the sensorineural component. Another alternative is the use of an active middle ear implant coupled directly to one of the cochlear windows, as has recently been introduced by Colletti and co-workers.
This session will give you the state-of-the art on implantable middle ear devices. Acknowledged experts in the field will address surgical issues, audiological outcomes with the Vibrant Soundbridge, Otologics MET and DACS, as well as the application of such middle ear implants to patients with aural atresia and chronic otitis.
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