Direct Drive Simulation-Preoperative Sound Simulation of 'Vibroplasty-Hearing' in Patients With Mixed Hearing Loss

摘要

Objective:Validation of the preoperative sound simulation test for vibroplasty-hearing so-called "Direct Drive Simulation" (DDS) in case of mixed hearing loss.Study Design:Retrospective data analysis.Setting:Tertiary referral center with a large hearing implant program.Main Outcome Measure:Comparison of sound impression during preoperative Direct Drive Simulation, and postoperative testing with the activated active middle ear implant (AMEI) under free-field condition and in daily routine.Patients:Fifty-four data sets from 18 patients with mixed hearing loss with a mean age of 60.783.18 were included.Results:Comparing the sound impression during DDS preoperatively versus free-field testing with the implanted AMEI, no significant differences were found. DDS offers a slightly better sound quality than the AMEI in daily routine, fitting well to the ideal listening situation in DDS versus some background noise in daily routine.Conclusion:The DDS offers the possibility of a realistic preoperative sound simulation of the "vibroplasty-hearing" in cases of mixed hearing loss. This probably facilitates patient's decision towards a vibroplasty. The audiologist as well as the surgeon get additional information regarding the indication especially when audiologic inclusion criteria are critical. Thus, the DDS is a useful extension of preoperative diagnostics before vibroplasty.