Understanding Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs)
Bone anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) are the only implanted solution that utilize direct bone conduction. Unlike traditional hearing aids, BAHAs lack an outer ear component, 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 three months, once integrated with the bone, the patient is fitted with a processor that snaps onto the fixture. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bone anchored hearing aids are implanted devices that use direct bone conduction to transmit sound to the cochlea. Unlike traditional hearing aids, they do not have an outer ear component and are particularly useful for individuals with outer ear malformations or unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
BAHAs are especially suitable for people with congenital anomalies of the outer ear, such as malformed or undeveloped pinnae or ear canals. They are also beneficial for individuals with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss to enhance hearing from the affected side.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and involves placing a titanium fixture in the skull behind the ear. After about three months, once the fixture has integrated with the bone, a sound processor is attached to the fixture to enable bone conduction hearing.
Once fitted, the BAHA processor snaps onto the titanium fixture and vibrates the surrounding bones to transmit sound directly to the cochlea. This bypasses the outer and middle ear, allowing the cochlea to convert vibrations into electrical signals interpreted by the brain as sound.
Typically, it takes about three months for the titanium fixture to fully integrate with the skull bone before the processor can be attached and used for hearing.
The implantation procedure involves minimal discomfort and is performed under general anesthesia, ensuring that patients do not experience pain during the surgery. Postoperative discomfort is usually mild and manageable.