What Are Bone Anchored Hearing Aids?
Bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) are the only implanted solution that utilize direct bone conduction for patients with hearing loss attributed to middle ear disease.
Unlike traditional hearing aids, BAHAs do not require placement on the ear, making them particularly suitable for individuals with congenital anomalies in their outer ear structures, such as malformed or undeveloped pinnae or ear canals. They have also been successfully implanted for those with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, significantly improving hearing from the affected side.
The BAHA implantation procedure is done under general anesthesia and involves minimal discomfort. A titanium fixture is placed in the skull behind the ear. After about one month, once integrated with the bone, the patient is fitted with a processor that conducts sound at the implant site. This processor uses bone conduction to transfer sound to the cochlea, vibrating the fixture and surrounding bones, allowing the cochlea to convert these vibrations into electrical impulses that the brain interprets as sound.
If you are interested in learning more about these devices and if you are a candidate schedule an appointment with us. We’ll review your medical history and recommend the best hearing solutions for your needs.
Who They Help
BAHAs are especially effective for patients with single-sided sensorineural hearing loss, allowing sound to be transmitted from the impaired side to the functioning cochlea, significantly improving spatial awareness and communication.
How the Implant Works
During a brief surgical procedure under general anesthesia, a titanium fixture is implanted behind the ear. After the bone heals around it, a processor is attached to transmit vibrations through the skull to the inner ear, where sound is processed normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
BAHAs are surgically implanted devices that transmit sound through direct bone conduction, bypassing the outer and middle ear. They are designed for people who cannot effectively use traditional hearing aids due to ear abnormalities or other conditions.
BAHAs are particularly beneficial for individuals with single-sided sensorineural hearing loss or congenital ear abnormalities. They help by transmitting sound from the impaired side to the functioning cochlea, improving spatial awareness and communication abilities.
The implantation involves a brief surgical procedure under general anesthesia where a titanium fixture is implanted behind the ear. Once the bone heals around the fixture, a sound processor is attached to transmit vibrations through the skull to the inner ear.
The device uses direct bone conduction to send vibrations from the sound processor through the skull to the inner ear. This bypasses damaged outer or middle ear structures, allowing the cochlea to process sound normally.
Individuals with congenital ear abnormalities or those with issues preventing them from using traditional hearing aids, such as outer or middle ear malformations, are good candidates for BAHAs since the device bypasses these structures.
The surgery is minimally invasive and brief, performed under general anesthesia, where a titanium implant is placed behind the ear. Patients typically recover quickly after the procedure before the device can be attached.