Open AccessUnexplained Variation in Benefit of Treatment of Congenital Unilateral Aural Atresia: A Review of the Literature
Author(s) -
Katharina Vogt,
Jolien Desmet,
A. Miranda L. Janssen,
Martijn J.H. Agterberg,
A.F.M. Snik
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
audiology and neuro-otology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1421-9700
pISSN - 1420-3030
DOI - 10.1159/000512245
Subject(s) - audiology , medicine , binaural recording , sound localization , hearing loss , atresia , surgery
Objective: A review of published data regarding binaural hearing after treatment of congenital unilateral conductive hearing loss (UCHL) due to aural atresia. Treatment options concern atresia surgery (reconstructive surgery), application of a bone conduction device (BCD), or application of a middle ear implant (MEI). Data Sources: Database PubMed was searched for articles published in English and German between January 1, 1994, and January 1, 2019. Study Selection: The initial search identified 52 studies, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria. Data Synthesis: Comparison of studies was based on a structured review. Meta-analysis was not feasible because of the heterogeneity of outcome measures, the limited number of relevant papers (9), and diverse types of treatment (5). Conclusions: Treatment of UCHL results in bilateral hearing instead of binaural hearing. The large intersubject variability in benefit of treatment is unexplained with a clear improvement in the minority of listeners and a limited improvement or binaural interference in most listeners after atresia repair or amplification with a BCD or MEI.