ABOUT BONE-ANCHORED HEARING AID (BAHA)
A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a hearing device which is implanted onto the temporal bone of the skull. The device transmits sounds to the inner ear through the bone in the form of a vibration, and this sound can then be processed and interpreted. Sounds are usually transmitted through the external ear and into the inner ear through air and through the bones of the skull. By using the principle of bone conduction, the BAHA enhances bone transmission.
The surgery involves implanting a titanium device onto the temporal bone and placing an abutment on the skin on the outside of the skull that the BAHA is then clipped on to.
The titanium implant transmits sound by conduction through the bone, directly to the inner ear. The abutment has a sound processor in place that transmits sound to the titanium implant. Through vibrations from the implant, the nerves in the inner ear can detect the sounds and enable improved hearing.
The BAHA should be removed at night time and patients should also remove it when being exposed to water.
Recommended for
- Conductive hearing loss
- Hearing loss in one of the ears
- Chronic ear infections
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- Number of days in hospital: 1 .
The procedure is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning patients can leave on the same day as the surgery.
- Number of trips abroad needed: 2.
Usually a small hole is drilled into the temporal bone and allowed to heal for around 8 weeks before the BAHA is fitted.
HOW TO FIND QUALITY TREATMENT ABROAD
BEFORE BONE-ANCHORED HEARING AID (BAHA) ABROAD
Patients will have a consultation with a specialist to ensure they are a suitable candidate for a BAHA. During the consultation, the patients hearing is assessed and the doctor will explain how a BAHA works.
The doctor may fit the patient with a BAHA which is secured on to a headband to allow the patient to test it out before going ahead with the surgery.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
The patient is administered with a local anesthetic and the surgeon will begin by making an incision behind the ear. A hole around 3-4mm in size, is then drilled into the temporal bone where the titanium implant is anchored. An abutment is placed on the outside of the bone where the BAHA can be clipped onto or off of.
Patients will then need to wait around 8 weeks after the surgery to be fitted with the BAHA, as the area needs time to heal. Once the area behind the ear has healed, the doctor will fit the BAHA onto the abutment and make any necessary adjustments. The patient will be given instructions on how to care for the BAHA.
Anesthesia
Local anesthetic.
Procedure duration
The Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) takes 40 to 60 minutes.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BONE-ANCHORED HEARING AID (BAHA)
Potential risks
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Irritated skin at the abutment
- Pain