New study of Single-Sided Deafness patients confirms lasting efficacy and high satisfaction with the SoundBite™ Hearing System

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Oct 06, 2014, 03:39 ET

SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A new long-term study publicized in Otology and Neurotology shows that SoundBite™ provides meaningful benefit for patients with Single-Sided Deafness, and that patient satisfaction with the device remains high.

The study, "A Novel Intraoral Bone Conduction Hearing Prosthesis: One Year Safety and Efficacy Study" reports the experience of 81 patients at nine sites who wore SoundBite regularly for one year. At the end of the trial period, patients completed a self-assessment and a standardized hearing aid benefit questionnaire (APHAB).

Makers of the SoundBite Hearing System. (PRNewsFoto/Sonitus Medical, Inc.) (PRNewsFoto/Sonitus Medical, Inc.)

At the one-year follow-up, 94% of patients stated they would likely recommend SoundBite to other patients with Single-Sided Deafness. 96% reported hearing improvement on their deaf side, and 88% reported improved ability to participate in group conversations, and overall quality of life.

The study concludes that SoundBite significantly benefitted patients in the APHAB categories of ease of communication, reverberation, background noise, and the overall global hearing score. SoundBite also offers advantages over many traditional devices in that it does not require surgical placement, and that it provides a high level of patient satisfaction over a one-year period of regular use.

An innovation in hearing-loss technology, the SoundBite Hearing System transmits sound using the well-established principle of bone conduction to restore the sensation of hearing in both ears. Unlike other devices that route sound through skull bones, SoundBite uses the patient's teeth to transfer sound from the impaired ear to the working ear. This system removes the need for a surgical implant in the skull which eliminates the costs and complications of surgery.

"This study shows SoundBite is both safe and effective for patients with Single-Sided Deafness, and patients are very satisfied with the device. The significant improvements in hearing that were documented at 6 months remained durable through one year," said Richard Gurgel, M.D. of the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and co-author of the study.

In addition to not requiring surgery, there are several reasons to consider SoundBite for Single-Sided Deafness and Conductive Hearing Loss. SoundBite is comfortable and nearly invisible as each device is customized for each patient. It is clinically proven to improve hearing, even in noise, and patients can continue to eat, drink, and bite down normally while wearing SoundBite.

About Sonitus Medical

Sonitus Medical Inc. is a privately held medical device company that markets the SoundBite Hearing System, the world's first hearing and communication solution that imperceptibly transmits sound via the teeth. Relying on the principle of bone conduction, this nearly invisible ITM (in-the-mouth) hearing device is a simple and non-invasive hearing and communication platform suitable for Single-Sided Deafness and Conductive Hearing Loss. Founded in June 2006, Sonitus Medical is headquartered in San Mateo, California. To learn more, please visit www.SoundBiteHearing.com.

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SOURCE Sonitus Medical, Inc.