A 40-year-old patient with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and serviceable speech discrimination undergoes placement of a Vibrant Soundbridge middle ear implant. To which structure is the floating mass transducer (FMT) classically coupled?

• A Round window membrane
• B Handle of the malleus
• C Head of the stapes
• D Long process of the incus ✓

Explanation

In the standard Vibrant Soundbridge configuration, the FMT is clipped to the long process of the incus, directly driving the ossicular chain and vibrating the inner ear fluids. Coupling to the round window membrane is a described alternative technique used mainly in mixed or conductive losses or when the ossicular chain is unusable, but it is not the classical primary site. Attachment to the malleus or stapes head is not the standard application.

Reference: Glasscock-Shambaugh Surgery of the Ear, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.