| The bone anchored hearing aid (or Baha) is a | | | | that the device does not aggravate the situation as |
| surgically implanted system for treating hearing loss. | | | | other types of hearing aid often do. People who |
| The system uses direct bone conduction, where | | | | have congenital defects that prevented good hearing |
| sound is conducted through the bone rather than | | | | will find excellent results when using the Baha. |
| through the middle ear and has been used | | | | The bone anchored hearing aid is also a good option |
| successfully since 1977. FDA approval in the United | | | | for those who have trouble adapting to the feel of a |
| States came in 1996, allowing its use as treatment | | | | traditional hearing aid. Not only does it alleviate |
| for conductive and mixed hearing loss. | | | | discomfort problems but it can also help relieve |
| The Baha has three main parts. There is an implant, | | | | problems related to feedback and amplification that |
| an external abutment and a sound processor. These | | | | are resolved when using the Baha. |
| three parts work together to enhance natural bone | | | | What about those with deafness in one ear? |
| transmission and provides a pathway for sound to | | | | One of the best things about the Baha is that it helps |
| enter the inner ear that bypasses the external | | | | those with a deaf ear. Prior to Baha, people with |
| auditory canal and middle ear. | | | | unilateral deafness did not have many satisfactory |
| The implant consists of a tiny titanium piece, which is | | | | options for improved hearing. Recently, the Baha was |
| put in place through a surgical procedure. It integrates | | | | cleared by the FDA as a solution for unilateral |
| with the natural skull bone over time. The sound | | | | deafness. The Baha hearing aid is placed on the side |
| processor transmits sound vibrations through the | | | | of the deaf ear. It transmits sounds from the deaf |
| external abutment that sends the vibrations through | | | | ear to the normal ear, resulting in a sensation of |
| to the bone. The vibration of the skull and inner ear | | | | hearing in the deaf ear. |
| stimulate the nerve fibers in the inner ear, allowing | | | | What are the best features of the Baha? |
| hearing. | | | | No other type of hearing aid can adequately address |
| Who is a candidate for the Baha? | | | | the specific needs of those with outer and middle ear |
| The Baha is a good solution for people who have | | | | problems as well as deafness in one ear. The bone |
| suffered hearing loss due to chronic ear infections or | | | | anchored hearing aid is much more comfortable than |
| congenital middle ear defects. The device bypasses | | | | most types of hearing aid. Once it is properly |
| the outer and middle ear areas to get to the inner | | | | implanted, the Baha is unobtrusive and often |
| ear. As long as the inner ear is intact and functions | | | | undetectable. The Baha cant slip or loosen, as other |
| properly, the Baha can be successfully used. Those | | | | normal hearing aids tend to do from time to time. |
| who continue to suffer from ear infections will find | | | | There is nothing to re-fit. Once implanted it is ready. |