Table 1. Comparison of hearing improvements after canaloplasty for CAA (congenital aural atresia)

Feature / outcome Prognostic factors in analoplasty (2019)11) Long-term outcomes (2019)12) Transmastoid surgery (2011)13) Hearing in noise and QoL (2015)14)
Study type Retrospective review Retrospective chart review Clinical trial Prospective follow-up
Number of patients / ears 108 ears 138 ears 33 ears 26 pediatric patients
Follow-up duration 3 months (short-term) >1 year (mean 4.4 years) 12 months 1 year post-op (long-term)
Pre- & post-Op hearing measure Air conduction ≤40 dB Three-tone AC PTA; pre 59.6 dB HL Air-bone gap (success based) Air conduction – 64 dB to – 39 dB; speech in noise tests
Main findings / outcomes 70.5% achieved successful hearing; prognostic factors include middle ear height & tegmen displacement 64% stable hearing; mean improvement – 34 dB; some decline over time 72.7% success at 2 months; 63.6% success at 12 months; success linked to Jahrsdoefer score Significant audiometric improvements; binaural hearing (binaural squelch) achieved at 1 year; subjective QoL improvements
Prognostic factors for success Middle ear height, tegmen displacement, J score Not specified explicitly Jahrsdoefer score & syndromic status; success depends on score Not specified; improvements correlate with GBI scores
Subjective outcomes / QoL Not specified Not specified Not specified Significant improvements in hearing quality and life scores
Comments Indicators improve prognostication in canaloplasty Stability over years with some decline Success more common with higher Jahrsdoefer scores Objective and subjective benefits, binaural hearing in adolescents
AC: air conduction, dB HL: decibel hearing level, GBI: Glasgow Benefit Inventory.