ERCD scientists use the floating mass transducer (FMT) of the Vibrant Soundbridge to monitor reconstruction quality in ossiculoplasty

The FMT of the Vibrant Soundbridge (Fa. Vibrant Medel, Austria) is well established as implantable hearing aid in the treatment of sensorineural and mixed hearing loss. The ERCD scientists use the FMT since 2012 for mechanical ossicular chain excitation in experimental studies (Zahnert et al., 2012, MEMRO). Since mechanical excitation does not require an intact tympanic membrane (in contrast to acoustical stimulation) this method can be used for ossiculoplasty monitoring. Furthermore, this setup is suitable for high-end otosurgeons’ training with a real-time feedback of the acoustical reconstruction quality (Bornitz, poster MEMRO 2015). Due to technical limitations the FMT real-time monitoring can only be used in vitro so far.

Nevertheless, we have good news for our patients: an alternative system with electromagnetic stimulation in combination with laser measurements is available for the operation theatre – otosurgeons always strive for best clinical results (Zahnert et al., 2016).