Quality-of-Life Outcomes After Bone-Anchored Hearing Device Surgery in Children With Single-Sided Sensorineural Deafness

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in a series of children with single-sided sensorineural deafness where a bone-anchored hearing device (BAHD) was used for auditory rehabilitation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: Eight children (4 boys and 4 girls) who had BAHD surgery for single-sided sensorineural deafness between 2007 and 2010. INTERVENTION(S): Bone-anchored hearing device was used for auditory rehabilitation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory (GCBI), Single-sided Deafness (SSD) Questionnaire and change in health benefit scores (visual analogue scale). RESULTS: All but one of the children showed a positive GCBI score; the child that reported a negative score was because of low self confidence and self-esteem issues secondary to bullying at school. The results of the SSD questionnaire were generally positive with a mean satisfaction score of the BAHD as 9/10. All the children had an improvement in heath benefit. CONCLUSION: Our findings add further evidence to support patient perceived benefit of a BAHD in single sided sensorineural deafness in the paediatric population.