Читать книгу Advances in Hearing Rehabilitation - Группа авторов - Страница 56

The introduction of the Sophono, Bonebridge and BAHA Attract have identified a trend towards transcutaneous devices, with manufacturers of percutaneous devices such as the BAHA 5 and Ponto Plus creating sound processors with smaller profiles [4]. These innovations recognize the drive for devices to require less maintenance and be more aesthetically acceptable to patients. The current amplification ability of transcutaneous devices often, however, falls short of the percutaneous competition. This indicates that percutaneous devices are potentially more appropriate when a patient has a significant sensorineural hearing loss component. For those with bilateral CHL, bilateral fitting of a BCHI may be appropriate, with studies showing increases in QOL measures and benefits in sound localization and thresholds in quiet. Additionally, patients with SSD find significant benefits in multiple subjective measures. Evidence for objective audiological benefits was limited with benefits only in specific experimental configurations and when the contralateral ear had suboptimal hearing thresholds. The BCHI continues to be a highly valuable treatment option for patients. Smaller visible size, combined with improved sound processing and greater power, imply that future patients will have even higher patient satisfaction.