Outcomes and device use in children with bone-conduction hearing devices in South Africa.

The study reviewed records from one South African public hospital, so it may not apply to other settings. Of 116 children fitted with a bone-conduction device, 37 were excluded because records lacked device information or questionnaire information, leaving 79 analysed. PEACH and TEACH outcomes were available only for 15 and 19 children respectively, so the questionnaire findings reflect a subset. All children were fitted on one ear only because of resource limitations, even if hearing loss was bilateral. Outcomes were measured only at the 1-month follow-up, so longer-term device use and listening outcomes were not described. The age range was wide, from 0 to 13 years, which makes it hard to apply the results to one age group. The mean delay between diagnosis and fitting was 17.2 months, so some children had a long period before device use. Caregiver and teacher reports may overestimate device use compared with data logging.

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Do not read the 80.0% and 78.9% typical performance rates as proof that soft-band bone-conduction hearing devices improve hearing outcomes. The study reviewed records at one hospital, reported outcomes only at the 1-month follow-up, and average device use was 7.0 h/day, below the 10 h/day recommendation.