[Nonsurgical attachment possibilities for bone conduction hearing aids : Comparison of coupling using external pressure versus an adhesive plate].

Background: Bone conduction hearing systems are used for patients with conductive or combined hearing loss who cannot be adequately treated with air conduction hearing aids or surgery. These hearing systems can be surgically implanted or reversibly attached using bone conduction eyeglasses or a rigid or soft headband. A nonsurgical and pressure-free alternative is fixation via an adhesive plate.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the energy transferred from the hearing aid to the mastoid when attached via a new adhesive plate versus via a soft headband. In addition, the comfort and the durability of the adhesive plate was evaluated.

Materials and methods: A total of 30 subjects were tested. The transferred energy was measured by accelerometer, which recorded the sound energy at the maxillary teeth. Wearing comfort, fixation duration (until plate becomes loose), and the skin reaction were examined using a questionnaire after the subjects had worn the adhesive plate with and without hearing aid for a maximum of 7 days. The skin reaction was also assessed clinically.

Results: There was a significant difference in the transferred energy in favor of the soft headband at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz. On the other hand, there was a high level of satisfaction and acceptance regarding the aesthetics and the wearing time of the adhesive plate, without skin irritations.

Conclusion: The difference in the transferred energy up to 2 kHz is probably due to the lack of pressure from the adhesive plate. This could possibly be compensated after appropriate adjustment of the speech processor. Based on the positive properties of the adhesive plate in terms of comfort, it could be used as an alternative to the soft headband.