Bone conduction implants are an alternative to hearing aids for varying reasons. Both Bonebridge® and Osia® are transcutaneous devices maintaining intact skin, establishing a connection between the implanted device and external processor through a magnetic system. Both are described as active systems, whereby they directly transfer vibration from the processor to the bone. Both systems have similar indications and thresholds (requiring better than 45 dB hearing for Bonebridge® and 55 dB for Osia®). The authors performed a retrospective analytical cohort study from their centre in Pamplona, Spain. They identified 14 patients from May 2022 to December 2023; seven had a Bonebridge® and seven an Osia®. Ages ranged between four and 78 (Mean 61) and most common aetiology was chronic otitis media. The Bonebridge® group showed an average hearing gain in tonal intelligibility thresholds of 32.43 +/- 21.39 dB and a gain in average intelligibility threshold (with 50% discrimination) of 26.29 +/- 19.10 dB. In the Osia® group, there was a gain in average tonal thresholds of 41.49 +/- 14.16 dB and 23.72 +/- 6.98 dB in average intelligibility thresholds. The Osia® system shows statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in mid and high frequencies, but Bonebridge® slightly outperforms in speech understanding at 50%. Both devices contributed to improved quality of life (the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit questionnaire was utilised) in all variables. Differences in average tonal thresholds and quality of life are not statistically significant. Although a small sample size, there are quantifiable improvements for either of these active bone conduction implants. They have multiple differences between them (indication / surgical procedure / auditory outcomes) but both offer cover for the entire frequency range without feedback issues and with clear aesthetic advantages. The devices are relatively young – Bonebridge® 2012 and Osia® 2019 – so further larger sample size and longer follow-up would be of use to see if better tangible evidence will become available to favour one over the other.
Audiometric and Quality of Life comparison between Bonebridge® and Osia®
Reviewed by Aaron Ferguson
Bone Conduction Implants: Comparative of Audiometric Results and Quality-of-Life Bonebridge® versus Osia®.
