Active Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Implants: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
PLoS One
Magele, A., Schoerg, P., et al. (2019).
PLoS One, 14(9), e0221484.
Thismeta-analysis investigates the efficacy, safety, quality of life, and patient perspectives of active transcutaneous bone conduction hearing devices (atBCI) in individuals with hearing loss or single-sided deafness.
No funding received
2012 to October 31, 2018
Randomized or nonrandomized comparative studies; case series; case-control studies; controlled/not controlled before and after studies; interrupted time series analyses
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For adults and children with hearing loss or single-sided deafness, active transcutaneous bone conduction implants were found to be a safe and effective treatment. Across all studies and all types of hearing loss, a weighted functional gain of 31 dB was achieved. Word recognition scores at 65dB demonstrated a mean weighted benefit of 52.1% across all types of hearing loss, with individuals with single-sided deafness receiving the least benefit (38.3%) and individuals with conductive hearing loss achieving the greatest benefit (56.7%). Speech discrimination in noise also demonstrated significant improvements across hearing loss groups. Reports of adverse events were found to be lower than transcutaneous implants. From meta-analysis, one minor adverse event was reported per 9.9 person-years and one major adverse event was reported per 148.9 person-years. Additional research on long-term maintenance of functional gain and safety is warranted.
