Authors' recommendations: If proven to be effective, the Soundbite™ hearing system may offer a non-surgical and removable alternative for the patient with SSD or conductive hearing loss. Although many patients with SSD do not seek a hearing aid, this may be particularly attractive to those who do not find the CROS device beneficial and those who do not wish to, or are unable to be fitted with devices that require surgery. The potential benefits to the NHS are unclear as in many areas provision of hearing aids to those with single-sided hearing loss is a low priority for funding. Where the NHS does fund such devices, the fact that the Soundbite™ hearing system does not require any degree of surgical implantation would presumably reduce the need for surgical resources. As no cost information is available it is impossible to determine what the financial impact of the use of this device would have on NHS healthcare but it is noted that the device may require replacing after the three-year warranty period. Some reorganisation of the patient pathway will be required to incorporate the dental checks and treatments required in order for the system to be used. This may incur additional costs and delays.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.nhsc-healthhorizons.org.uk/topics/soundbiteandtrade-hearing-system/

Year Published: 2011

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre (NHSC)