Vibrant Soundbridge implantation via the third window in two Chinese patients with severe bilateral congenital aural atresia

Abstract

The surgery was successful. Pure-tone air conduction thresholds across the frequencies of 0.25-8 Hz were improved by 35 dB (preoperation, 69.2 dB; postactivation, 34 dB) in patient 1 and 46.6 dB (preoperation, 75.8 dB; postactivation, 24.2 dB) in patient 2. Normal hearing thresholds were achieved in the range of 1-8 kHz in both patients. A sentence recognition rate of up to 100% (65 dB SPL in a quiet room) was attained by both patients after surgery and VSB activation at 3 months postoperatively.