Surgical, functional and audiological evaluation of new Baha® Attract system implantations

Abstract

Bone-anchored hearing aids are well-established solutions for treatment of hearing-impaired patients. However, classical systems with percutaneous abutments have disadvantages concerning aesthetics, hygiene and adverse soft tissue reactions. The study aimed to evaluate surgical, functional and audiological results of a new Baha® Attract system, in which the sound processor is attached by magnetic force. Twenty patients implanted with a Baha® Attract system were divided into two groups: A—bilateral mixed and conductive hearing loss, B—single-sided deafness, and evaluated during a 6-month follow-up. Parameters analysed comprised: (1) surgery and wound healing, (2) postoperative functional results (GBI, APHAB and BAHU questionnaires), (3) audiological results (free field speech in noise audiometry in two situations: with signal from implant side and from contralateral side). Obtained results revealed: mean time of surgery—44 min, soft tissue reduction—30 %, bone polishing—20 %, haematoma—10 %. Functional results showed: GBI total score—29.6 points, APHAB global score mean gain—23.5 %, BAHU ‘good or very good’ score for: aesthetic—85 %, hygiene—100 %, ease of placing the processor—100 %, stability of attraction—75 %. Audiological results—mean gain for the two analysed situations: 32.9 % (group A—36.5 %, group B—27.5 %). To conclude, the data obtained prove the safety and effectiveness of the Baha® Attract system in patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss as well as in patients with single-sided deafness. Cosmetic aspects are highly acceptable and the idea of Attract itself is important for patients with limited manual dexterity.