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Sophono Alpha System and subtotal petrosectomy with external auditory canal blind sac closure

  • Otology
  • Published:
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An Erratum to this article was published on 07 November 2014

Abstract

Recently, a new acoustic device, the so-called Sophono Alpha System, has been introduced into clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess Sophono Alpha System hearing aids in ten patients suffering from recurrent chronic middle ear disease who underwent subtotal petrosectomy. Presence of mixed hearing loss with bone conduction thresholds better than or equal to 45 dB was present in each patient. Audiometric tests were performed before and after Sophono implantation and using a conventional bone conduction hearing aid (hearing glasses). Speech audiometry data (speech recognition threshold and word recognition score) were also collected. Speech recognition threshold in dB and percentage of word recognition score at 65 dB were subsequently calculated. After implantation and activation of the Sophono Alpha System, audiological data showed an average air conduction value of 42.1 dB. By comparing this data with the values of air conduction following subtotal petrosectomy, an average acoustic improvement of 29.7 dB could be calculated. The hearing results showed significantly better outcomes of Sophono Alpha System vs. conventional bone conduction aid. Indications to MRI use in patients undergoing Sophono Alpha System implantation are also provided.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Organi di Senso Department, University “la Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe Magliulo, Rosaria Turchetta, Giannicola Iannella, Riccardo Valpega di Masino & Marco de Vincentiis

  2. Via Gregorio VII n. 80, 00165, Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe Magliulo

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  1. Giuseppe Magliulo
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  2. Rosaria Turchetta
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  3. Giannicola Iannella
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  4. Riccardo Valpega di Masino
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  5. Marco de Vincentiis
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Correspondence to Giuseppe Magliulo.

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Magliulo, G., Turchetta, R., Iannella, G. et al. Sophono Alpha System and subtotal petrosectomy with external auditory canal blind sac closure. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 272, 2183–2190 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-014-3123-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-014-3123-2

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