Clinical effect of an active transcutaneous bone-conduction implant on tinnitus in patients with ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of an active transcutaneous bone conduction implant (BoneBridge^Ⓡ) in the management of tinnitus in patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Methods: From October 2016 to July 2018, 15 patients with unilateral tinnitus accompanied by ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss received BoneBridge^Ⓡ implants. Pure-tone average, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for awareness, loudness, and annoyance were measured before and 6 months after surgery. We defined improvement as a reduction of more than 20% between preoperative and postoperative VAS and THI scores, and changes in the THI of over 7 points were also assessed. Results: Mean THI scores before surgery (72.8 ± 16.1) had significantly improved by 6 months postoperatively (50.9 ± 18.9) (p = 0.003). VAS scores for loudness and annoyance also statistically significantly improved (p = 0.011 and 0.002). The amount of functional hearing gain correlated with changes in VAS scores for annoyance. This correlation was stronger with the improvement of high frequency hearing. Conclusion: BoneBridge^Ⓡ is beneficial in patients with tinnitus accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss. This finding can help select patients who will benefit most from bone conduction implants.