The Bonebridge: Preclinical evaluation of a new transcutaneously-activated bone anchored hearing device

ObjectivesTo assess the functional performance of the Bonebridge (BB, MED-EL), a newly-designed transcutaneous bone conduction implant that allows the skin to remain intact and to compare it with the current clinical model of choice, a percutaneous bone conduction implant (BAHA BP100, Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AG).Materials and methodsThe devices were compared using two methods: (1) Measurements of cochlear promontory acceleration in five cadaver heads: Accelerations of the cochlear promontories on both ipsilateral and contralateral sides were measured using a Laser Doppler system, with free-field sound stimuli of 90 dB SPL in the frequency range of 0.3–10 kHz (2) Measurements of pure-tone sound field thresholds in 5 normally hearing human adult subjects under a condition of simulated hearing loss. For the latter measurements, the devices were applied to the head using a Softband, and measurements were performed in the frequency range of 0.25–8 kHz. Within investigation comparisons (i.e., in cadavers or listeners) and a cross-comparison analysis of the cadaver and human results were done.ResultsResults from the cadaver heads showed that the cochlear promontory acceleration with the BB was higher within 10 dB on the ipsilateral side and lower within 5 dB on the contralateral side than the acceleration with the BAHA, in the frequency range of 0.7–10 kHz. The transcranial attenuation of the acceleration for the BB was greater than for the BAHA within 20 dB. For the sound-field threshold assessments with human subjects, the BB and BAHA showed similar threshold improvements of more than 10 dB HL for the ipsilateral side. For the contralateral side, the threshold improvement with the BB was less than with the BAHA, indicating better separation between ipsilateral and contralateral sides.ConclusionsPreclinical results imply that the BB has functional performance similar to the BAHA and could be beneficial to patients suffering with conductive and mixed hearing losses as well as for those with unilateral impairment. Based on these preliminary results, a carefully designed clinical trial with conservative inclusion criteria can be recommended.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled “MEMRO 2012”.

► Functional performance of a transcutaneous BC implant (Bonebridge) is assessed.
► It is compared with a percutaneous BC implant (BAHA).
►  Measurement of promontory acceleration in 5 cadaver heads.
► And of pure-tone thresholds in 5 subjects with simulated unilateral hearing loss.
►  Preclinical results imply that BB has functional performance similar to BAHA.