Verification of improved patient outcomes with a partially implantable hearing aid, the SOUNDTEC direct hearing system

Introduction: Partially implantable hearing devices have been developed to address some of the user-perceived shortcomings of standard amplification systems. Partially implantable devices are purported to provide improved sound quality as a result of decreased occlusion, decreased feedback, and enhanced clarity resulting from increased high-frequency gain. Such improvements may result in greater user satisfaction. To justify selection of a partially implantable device and undergoing a minor surgical procedure, verification techniques must be used to document user improvement or increased satisfaction over conventional amplification. Objective. To evaluate patient satisfaction with the SOUNDTEC direct hearing system. Study Design: Within-subjects repeated measures design. Methods: Objective and subjective evaluation pre- and postimplantation with the SOUNDTEC device. Verification techniques included tonal functional gain measures with traditional amplification and the SOUNDTEC device, word recognition in quiet (NU-6) and in noise (SPIN), the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), and the Hough Ear Institute Profile (HEIP). Results: Although there was no significant difference between optimal traditional amplification and the SOUNDTEC device for speech perception measures, the SOUNDTEC device yielded statistically significant increased high-frequency functional gain. Subjective reports indicated that the SOUNDTEC device provides a cleaner, more natural sound without feedback than traditional amplification. Conclusions. Partially implantable hearing aids may address some of the limitations of traditional amplification systems.