Krijnen, Hidde (2024) Participant valued appearance of bone conduction devices: a comparison between percutaneous and transcutaneous systems. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Background: Our aim was to investigate whether clear preferences exist for the appearance of percutaneous bone conduction devices (perBCDs) or active transcutaneous bone conduction devices (atBCDs). Further, we sought to investigate the relative importance of appearance during the decision-making process for a BCD. Methods: An online questionnaire was designed and administered to BCD-users and non-users (i.e. persons with no experience with using a BCD). Pair-wise comparisons of pictures of the latest generation perBCD and atBCD sound processors and implant sites were anonymously provided to participants. Preference scores were reported, for which sum scores were calculated ranging from -2 (strong preference for perBCD) to 2 (strong preference for atBCD). Statements were presented in which the appearance of the device was weighed against other traits such as better hearing. Results: The study sample consisted of 102 BCD-users and 105 non-users. BCD-users and non-users preferred perBCD sound processors (mean -0.50, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.37). BCD-users had no preference for implant sites whilst non-users preferred atBCDs (mean -0.03, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.21) and mean 0.60, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.80, respectively). Most participants indicated better hearing to be more important than having the device with the most appealing appearance (n = 150, 73.0%). Conclusions: perBCD sound processors were preferred by both BCD-users and non-users. Only non-users preferred the implant site of atBCDs. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings. Functionality seems to be more important for BCD users than the appearance of the device.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Hol, Prof. Dr. M.K.S. and Aukema, Drs. T.W. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Oct 2025 13:54 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Oct 2025 13:54 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3842 |
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