Patient selection for incus body coupling of a totally implantable middle ear implant

Abstract

In selected cases, IBC of the TI-MEI investigated herein may be indicated for the treatment of SNHL, provided the following four conditions are met. First, the patient does not derive sufficient benefit from conventional HAs. Second, the specific indication for IBC is restricted to situations that do not allow the coupling of the MEI to the long incus process (e.g. due to an anatomical variation of facial nerve location). Third, IBC is restricted to patients with a steeply sloped moderate to severe high frequency SNHL, amounting to 90 dB HL from 3 to 8 kHz. Patients with low frequency SNHL should not be operated on with the IBC technique, as maximum low frequency hearing loss at 0.5 kHz must not exceed 30 dB. Fourth, Schueller's X-ray should reveal normal mastoid pneumatization. Being restricted to a 6-month follow-up period, this paper provides early clinical results and no clinical evidence of long-term efficiency of the implant.