Patient Preferences in Sound Processor Loading Time After BAHI Surgery

OBJECTIVE: Sound processor loading times after bone-anchored hearing implant (BAHI) surgery have gradually decreased over time. This study assessed patient preferences in loading time.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective patient questionnaire study.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS: Patients indicated for BAHI surgery received two questionnaires preoperatively: the validated Glasgow Health Status Inventory (GHSI) and a nonvalidated questionnaire that assessed patient preference for loading time and the rationale behind it. This preference questionnaire was also provided immediately, 7 days and 3 weeks (moment of sound processor loading at our center) postoperatively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The preoperative and postoperative preferred loading time and the postoperative changes in preference were determined. Correlations between preference and patient-specific variables were assessed.

RESULTS: Sixty patients were included. Preoperatively, 70% preferred loading within 1 week after surgery. Of all patients, 43% preferred loading on the day of surgery, mainly motivated by the fast hearing rehabilitation and practical considerations. These preferences were not correlated with the total GHSI score or duration of hearing loss. Directly postoperatively, no change in preference was observed. However, 7 days and 3 weeks after surgery, significantly more patients preferred loading at a later moment. At 7 days and at 3 weeks, 50 and 40% preferred loading within 1 week, and 12.5 and 7.5% preferred loading on the day of surgery, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The preference for the timing of sound processor loading varied among patients and differed pre- and postoperatively. Despite the postoperative decline in patients preferring earlier loading, approximately half of all patients preferred sound processor loading within 1 week after BAHI surgery.