Vibrant Soundbridge implant in a patient with Fanconi anemia

Abstract

The Vibrant Soundbridge implant with a short process coupler placed at the short process of the incus has been successfully used to treat conductive hearing loss. Coupling of the floating mass transducer of the Vibrant Soundbridge to the short process of the incus is technically less demanding than incus long process vibroplasty and is more likely to generate a positive outcome without significantly changing residual hearing or resulting in medical or surgical complications. Herein, we describe a 19-year-old male patient with bilateral conductive hearing loss and Fanconi anemia who underwent vibroplasty with a short process coupler. Speech discrimination scores in both quiet and noisy environments, as well as the quality of life questionnaire results, revealed better functional gain with the use of the Vibrant Soundbridge than with the use of a conventional hearing aid. The results of the present case highlight the feasibility of implanting a Vibrant Soundbridge with a short process coupler in patients with conductive hearing loss due to Fanconi anemia.

Keywords

• vibrant soundbridge
• fanconi anemia
• implant
• external canal malformation