Hearing benefit of patients after Vibrant Soundbridge implantation.

The present paper compares the audiometric results of different digital Vibrant Soundbridge audio processors (D and Signia) of patients with mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss. In a retrospective study, the audiometric results were evaluated and compared in terms of functional gain of warble tone measurements and speech audiometric data. 23 patients implanted between 1998 and 2003 with the Vibrant Soundbridge were included. At the time of implantation, they fulfilled the indication criteria for an implantation (7 patients with a D type, 16 with a Signia type while 3 patients changed from the D to the Signia type). The mean functional gain was increased from 22.8 dB (+/-6.5 dB SD) in the D type to 29.8 dB (+/-2.9) in the Signia type group. The speech-in-noise understanding was better in the Signia compared to the D type (59.3 +/- 11.5 dB and 65.7 +/- 10.1 dB, respectively). The latest upgrade of the external processor from the 3-channel, digital D type to the 8-channel, digital Signia type led in our data to an auditory benefit in all patients.