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Investigating Hearing With the Ponto 4, a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

Investigating Hearing With the Ponto 4, a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04761926
Enrollment
20
Registered
2021-02-21
Start date
2021-01-15
Completion date
2021-02-24
Last updated
2025-07-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hearing Loss, Conductive, Hearing Loss, Mixed

Keywords

Hearing loss, hearing disorder,, ear diseases, BAHS

Brief summary

The study is a combined retrospective (fitting visit) and prospective (study visit), multi-center, single arm study The study is part of the Post Market Clinical Follow (PMCF) activity. The investigational device used in this study is the Ponto 4 already fitted to the subjects prior to the study. The device is CE marked and available on the market since June 2019. Treatment is not provided in the study therefore risks are limited to the audiological measurements. The audiological measurements in the study are standard non-invasive measurements already familiar to the clinics. The hearing with Ponto 4 will be evaluated via speech and hearing tests, and patient reported outcomes.

Detailed description

This is a post market clinical follow up (PMCF) study with the purpose of gather knowledge on the use and performance of the Ponto 4 device on existing Ponto 4 users. The study does not include any treatment or fitting of new devices, instead the real-life application of the use of Ponto 4 on subjects already using Ponto 4(s) are investigated. The Investigational Device used in the study is Ponto 4, a CE marked, and FDA cleared bone anchored hearing solution, produced by Oticon Medical AB and commercially available since June 2019. The recruitment for this clinical investigation will be performed among subjects who have already received a Ponto 4 device as a minimum 1.5 month prior to the study. 20 patients, including minors down to 12 years old, with a conductive, mixed hearing loss or single-sided deafness will be included. The rationale for including minors is that they are also users of the device, and it is found important to collect data from their experience of using the device as well. The study is a retrospective and prospective, multi-center study. It has one visit of 2,5-3 hours for adult subjects ≥18 years old. To minimize the burden and risks of tiredness for the minor subjects from 12-17 years old, the protocol activities can be divided into two visits. The decision will be based on the Investigators discretion. The majority of the objectives of the study are prospectively collected whereas the BC In-situ (hearing with the Ponto 4 on) and audiometric data from the time of the fitting of Ponto 4, are collected retrospectively from the time of the fitting of Ponto 4 (aka the fitting visit). The overall objectives of the study are to investigate the improvement in hearing with the Ponto 4(s) on the implanted ear(s), in terms of the subject's ability to hear sounds and understand speech when using the device. The primary endpoint is to investigate the improvement in hearing with the Ponto 4(s) on the implanted ear for patients within intended use. These will be evaluated through a hearing and a speech test, both assessing the hearing with the Ponto 4(s) both on and off. Additionally, the subject will complete 2 patient reported outcome, report daily usage time of the device and assess satisfaction of connectivity devices. Minimal risks are expected for subjects participating in the study. Treatment is not provided in the study therefore risks are limited to the audiological measurements. The audiological measurements in the study are standard non-invasive measurements already familiar to the clinics. The measurements will require an extra effort and may be found slightly tiring by the subject. To mitigate the risk of tiredness the subject will be given the opportunity to have breaks during the visit.

Interventions

Audiometry: Thresholds from the audiogram obtained when Ponto 4 were fitted. Pure tone air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) audiometry conducted at the visit. Speech recognition in quiet: Speech intelligibility is measured in a soundproof room using the Matrix sentences presented from a loudspeaker. The Matrix test includes five-word sentences with a fixed syntactical structure and limited contextual cues. A list of 20 sentences is compiled from these words, ensuring that no sentence is repeated twice. This test will be obtained both unaided and aided (with and without the Ponto 4(s)). Sound field Audiometry: Detection of sound field thresholds presented from a loudspeaker. Thresholds will be obtained both unaided and aided and the test order will be balanced between subjects. During these measurements, the Ponto 4 will be programmed in omni-directional mode, with noise reduction and feedback management system turned off.

Sponsors

Oticon Medical
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Signed Informed Consent Form 2. 12 years old and above 3. Subjects with hearing loss fitted unilaterally or bilaterally with the Ponto 4(s) on abutment at least 1.5 months prior to being enrolled in the study 4. Fluent in local language, as judged by the investigator

Exclusion criteria

1. Participation in another clinical investigation which might cause interference with study participation. 2. Subjects who do not have the ability or are un-willing to follow investigational procedures/requirements, e.g. to complete patient related outcome (PRO's) according to investigators discretion

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To Investigate the Improvement in Hearing With the Ponto 4 (s) on the Implanted Ear for Patients Within Intended Use.The outcome measure was assessed during Study Visit 1 (Day 1).Functional gain with Ponto 4, i.e. the difference between average unaided and aided sound field thresholds. The functional gain (PTA4) is calculated as the average of frequencies 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
G. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).The assessment for this outcome measure was based on the BC in situ test conducted during a visit at least 6 weeks prior to Study Visit 1 (data collected retrospectively), and an aided sound field thresholds test conducted on Study Visit Day 1.1\. Effective gain defined as the difference in dB between aided sound field thresholds with Ponto 4, and BC In-situ thresholds on the aided ear(s) measured at the time of the fitting of Ponto 4(s). The effective gain is calculated for frequencies 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz.
H. To Evaluate the Above Objectives on Individual LevelsThe outcome measure was assessed during Study Visit 1 (Day 1).Endpoints A1, B1, C1 analyzed as the proportion of subjects whose performance improved or remained the same (difference ≥ 0) in unaided to aided comparisons.
I. To Assess the Degree of Inner Ear Hearing Loss Degradation on the Implanted Ear(s) (for SSD the Stimulated Ear).Fitting Visit (at least 6 weeks prior to Study Visit 1 - data retrospectively collected) and Study Visit 1 (Day 1).1\. Hearing loss degradation is the difference in dB between masked (if not available unmasked) BC thresholds obtained at the study visit, and at the visit when Ponto 4(s) was fitted. Hearing loss degradation for subjects with MHL/CHL is the difference in dB between masked (if not available, then unmasked) BC thresholds obtained at the study visit and at the visit when the Ponto 4(s) was fitted. For subjects with SSD, AC thresholds on the non-implanted ear were used for this calculation.
J. To Assess if a Patient's With CHL/MHL Hearing Loss Has Degraded to Being Outside Fitting Range on the Implanted Ear(s).fitting visit ≥6 weeks prior to study visit1\. BC hearing loss (PTA4), measured at the study visit, being outside intended fitting range (PTA4 \>45 dB HL) compared to being inside fitting range (PTA\<45 dB HL) at the time of the study visit.
K. To Asses if Patients' With CHL/MHL Air to Bone Gap (PTA4) Has Increased/Decreased on the Implanted Ear(s)Fitting Visit (at least 6 weeks prior to Study Visit 1 - data retrospectively collected) and Study Visit 1 (Day 1).1\. The difference between masked (if not available unmasked) BC and AC thresholds, denoted 'air to bone gap', calculated for frequencies 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz from audiogram measured at the study visit and the fitting visit.
B. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).The outcome measure was assessed during Study Visit 1 (Day 1).1\. Functional gain with Ponto 4, i.e. the difference between unaided and aided sound field thresholds, for frequencies 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz.
C. To Assess the Improvement of Speech Recognition With Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).The outcome measure was assessed during Study Visit 1 (Day 1).Difference in speech recognition score in percent between unaided and aided, assessed in quiet. Speech recognition was measured in free field using the Matrix sentences test. The Matrix test includes five-word sentences with a fixed syntactical structure and limited contextual cues. A formula selects a word from a category (name, verb, number, adjective and noun) and creates a five-word sentence. A word from each category is chosen at random to create the sentence. A list of 20 sentences is compiled from these words, ensuring that no sentence is repeated twice. Speech was presented from a loudspeaker 1 meter in front of the subject (0 degree azimuth). The speech signal was fixed at 65 dB SPL (C-weighted). The subject had to repeat as many words as possible after each sentence. For the aided condition, Ponto 4 was tested in the subject's user settings. The test order of aided and unaided condition was balanced across subjects.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
E. To Assess the Quality of Life of the Ponto 4Visit 1, Day 1 (For minors: Can be performed at a Visit 2, week 2, +/- 1 week)GHSI Questionnaire: Scores across all subjects, on a scale from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating a better quality of life.
D. To Assess the Subjective Experience of the Ponto 4Visit 1,Day 1 (For minors: Can be performed at a Visit 2, week 2, +/- 1 week)SSQ Questionnaire: Scores across all subjects, on a subjective scale from 0-10, where 0 is the worst and 10 is the best
L. To Assess the Usage and Performance of Connectivity Device(s)Visit 1, Day 11\. Questionnaire: Self-reported satisfaction ratings 0-10, for connectivity device(s) previously given to the test subject, where 0 is very unsatisfied and 10 is very satisfied.
F. To Assess the Usage Time With Ponto 4.Visit 1, Day 1Questionnaire: Self-reported usage hours per day during the month prior to the study visit across all subjects.

Countries

Denmark

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Ponto 4 Sound Processor Users
Asessments for the hearing with Ponto 4 sound processor on the implanted ear(s). Audiometry: Audiometry: Thresholds from the audiogram obtained when Ponto 4 were fitted. Pure tone air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) audiometry conducted at the visit. Speech recognition in quiet: Speech intelligibility is measured in a soundproof room using the Matrix sentences presented from a loudspeaker. The Matrix test includes five-word sentences with a fixed syntactical structure and limited contextual cues. A list of 20 sentences is compiled from these words, ensuring that no sentence is repeated twice. This test will be obtained both unaided and aided (with and without the Ponto 4(s)). Sound field Audiometry: Detection of sound field thresholds presented from a loudspeaker. Thresholds will be obtained both unaided and aided and the test order will be balanced between subjects. During these measurements, the Ponto 4 will be programmed in omni-directional mode, with noise reduction and feedback management system turned off.
20
Total20

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPonto 4 Sound Processor Users
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
7 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
13 Participants
Age, Continuous56.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.6
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected— Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
9 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
11 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 20
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 20
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 20

Outcome results

Primary

To Investigate the Improvement in Hearing With the Ponto 4 (s) on the Implanted Ear for Patients Within Intended Use.

Functional gain with Ponto 4, i.e. the difference between average unaided and aided sound field thresholds. The functional gain (PTA4) is calculated as the average of frequencies 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz.

Time frame: The outcome measure was assessed during Study Visit 1 (Day 1).

Population: only 18 subjects had measurable thresholds for all 4 frequencies to be calculated for the PTA4 of functional gain.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersTo Investigate the Improvement in Hearing With the Ponto 4 (s) on the Implanted Ear for Patients Within Intended Use.31.5 [dB]Standard Deviation 9.5
Secondary

B. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).

1\. Functional gain with Ponto 4, i.e. the difference between unaided and aided sound field thresholds, for frequencies 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz.

Time frame: The outcome measure was assessed during Study Visit 1 (Day 1).

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersB. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).250Hz14.2 [dB]Standard Deviation 9.9
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersB. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).500Hz28.7 [dB]Standard Deviation 12
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersB. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).1000Hz36.6 [dB]Standard Deviation 9.9
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersB. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).2000Hz28.6 [dB]Standard Deviation 13.8
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersB. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).3000Hz32.9 [dB]Standard Deviation 11.6
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersB. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).4000Hz32.8 [dB]Standard Deviation 8.6
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersB. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).6000Hz22.7 [dB]Standard Deviation 10.2
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersB. To Assess the Improvement of Hearing With the Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).8000Hz22.1 [dB]Standard Deviation 12.3
Secondary

C. To Assess the Improvement of Speech Recognition With Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).

Difference in speech recognition score in percent between unaided and aided, assessed in quiet. Speech recognition was measured in free field using the Matrix sentences test. The Matrix test includes five-word sentences with a fixed syntactical structure and limited contextual cues. A formula selects a word from a category (name, verb, number, adjective and noun) and creates a five-word sentence. A word from each category is chosen at random to create the sentence. A list of 20 sentences is compiled from these words, ensuring that no sentence is repeated twice. Speech was presented from a loudspeaker 1 meter in front of the subject (0 degree azimuth). The speech signal was fixed at 65 dB SPL (C-weighted). The subject had to repeat as many words as possible after each sentence. For the aided condition, Ponto 4 was tested in the subject's user settings. The test order of aided and unaided condition was balanced across subjects.

Time frame: The outcome measure was assessed during Study Visit 1 (Day 1).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersC. To Assess the Improvement of Speech Recognition With Ponto 4 on the Implanted Ear(s).55.9 percentage points (% points)Standard Deviation 31.7
Secondary

G. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).

1\. Effective gain defined as the difference in dB between aided sound field thresholds with Ponto 4, and BC In-situ thresholds on the aided ear(s) measured at the time of the fitting of Ponto 4(s). The effective gain is calculated for frequencies 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz.

Time frame: The assessment for this outcome measure was based on the BC in situ test conducted during a visit at least 6 weeks prior to Study Visit 1 (data collected retrospectively), and an aided sound field thresholds test conducted on Study Visit Day 1.

Population: Ponto 4 Sound Processor Users

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersG. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).250Hz22.0 dBStandard Deviation 7.3
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersG. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).500Hz7.14 dBStandard Deviation 7.84
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersG. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).1000Hz3.21 dBStandard Deviation 7.69
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersG. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).2000Hz2.86 dBStandard Deviation 8.25
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersG. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).3000Hz10.20 dBStandard Deviation 7
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersG. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).4000Hz13.8 dBStandard Deviation 7.1
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersG. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).6000Hz17.0 dBStandard Deviation 9.4
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersG. To Assess the Degree to Which the Ponto 4 Compensates for the BC Hearing Loss on the Implanted Ear(s).8000Hz12.3 dBStandard Deviation 9.7
Secondary

H. To Evaluate the Above Objectives on Individual Levels

Endpoints A1, B1, C1 analyzed as the proportion of subjects whose performance improved or remained the same (difference ≥ 0) in unaided to aided comparisons.

Time frame: The outcome measure was assessed during Study Visit 1 (Day 1).

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersH. To Evaluate the Above Objectives on Individual LevelsPTA4 unaided to aided condition100 Percentage of participants (%)
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersH. To Evaluate the Above Objectives on Individual LevelsAll individual frequencies unaided to aided condition100 Percentage of participants (%)
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersH. To Evaluate the Above Objectives on Individual LevelsSpeech recognition scores unaided to aided condition100 Percentage of participants (%)
Secondary

I. To Assess the Degree of Inner Ear Hearing Loss Degradation on the Implanted Ear(s) (for SSD the Stimulated Ear).

1\. Hearing loss degradation is the difference in dB between masked (if not available unmasked) BC thresholds obtained at the study visit, and at the visit when Ponto 4(s) was fitted. Hearing loss degradation for subjects with MHL/CHL is the difference in dB between masked (if not available, then unmasked) BC thresholds obtained at the study visit and at the visit when the Ponto 4(s) was fitted. For subjects with SSD, AC thresholds on the non-implanted ear were used for this calculation.

Time frame: Fitting Visit (at least 6 weeks prior to Study Visit 1 - data retrospectively collected) and Study Visit 1 (Day 1).

Population: MHL/CHL - n=11 SSD - n=5

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersI. To Assess the Degree of Inner Ear Hearing Loss Degradation on the Implanted Ear(s) (for SSD the Stimulated Ear).MHL/CHL0.114 dBStandard Deviation 5.761
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersI. To Assess the Degree of Inner Ear Hearing Loss Degradation on the Implanted Ear(s) (for SSD the Stimulated Ear).SSD1.75 dBStandard Deviation 2.88
Secondary

J. To Assess if a Patient's With CHL/MHL Hearing Loss Has Degraded to Being Outside Fitting Range on the Implanted Ear(s).

1\. BC hearing loss (PTA4), measured at the study visit, being outside intended fitting range (PTA4 \>45 dB HL) compared to being inside fitting range (PTA\<45 dB HL) at the time of the study visit.

Time frame: fitting visit ≥6 weeks prior to study visit

Secondary

K. To Asses if Patients' With CHL/MHL Air to Bone Gap (PTA4) Has Increased/Decreased on the Implanted Ear(s)

1\. The difference between masked (if not available unmasked) BC and AC thresholds, denoted 'air to bone gap', calculated for frequencies 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz from audiogram measured at the study visit and the fitting visit.

Time frame: Fitting Visit (at least 6 weeks prior to Study Visit 1 - data retrospectively collected) and Study Visit 1 (Day 1).

Population: Air to bone gap (PTA4) at fitting and study visit across MHL/CHL subjects.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersK. To Asses if Patients' With CHL/MHL Air to Bone Gap (PTA4) Has Increased/Decreased on the Implanted Ear(s)Fitting visit45.8 dBStandard Deviation 13.6
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersK. To Asses if Patients' With CHL/MHL Air to Bone Gap (PTA4) Has Increased/Decreased on the Implanted Ear(s)Study visit50.2 dBStandard Deviation 15.2
Other Pre-specified

D. To Assess the Subjective Experience of the Ponto 4

SSQ Questionnaire: Scores across all subjects, on a subjective scale from 0-10, where 0 is the worst and 10 is the best

Time frame: Visit 1,Day 1 (For minors: Can be performed at a Visit 2, week 2, +/- 1 week)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersD. To Assess the Subjective Experience of the Ponto 46.28 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.91
Other Pre-specified

E. To Assess the Quality of Life of the Ponto 4

GHSI Questionnaire: Scores across all subjects, on a scale from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating a better quality of life.

Time frame: Visit 1, Day 1 (For minors: Can be performed at a Visit 2, week 2, +/- 1 week)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersE. To Assess the Quality of Life of the Ponto 465.4 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.7
Other Pre-specified

F. To Assess the Usage Time With Ponto 4.

Questionnaire: Self-reported usage hours per day during the month prior to the study visit across all subjects.

Time frame: Visit 1, Day 1

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersF. To Assess the Usage Time With Ponto 4.12.6 average hours/dayStandard Deviation 5.2
Other Pre-specified

L. To Assess the Usage and Performance of Connectivity Device(s)

1\. Questionnaire: Self-reported satisfaction ratings 0-10, for connectivity device(s) previously given to the test subject, where 0 is very unsatisfied and 10 is very satisfied.

Time frame: Visit 1, Day 1

Population: All participants included. Participants asked to rate their connectivity device(s) used, on a scale of 0.0 (very dissatisfied) to 10.0 (very satisfied).

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersL. To Assess the Usage and Performance of Connectivity Device(s)On App8.21 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.1
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersL. To Assess the Usage and Performance of Connectivity Device(s)Connect Clip6.90 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.3
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersL. To Assess the Usage and Performance of Connectivity Device(s)Remote Control8.00 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.35
Ponto 4 Sound Processor UsersL. To Assess the Usage and Performance of Connectivity Device(s)Edu Mic9.00 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026