A bone-anchored auditory implant is a surgically implanted prosthetic device for the ear that may partially restore hearing for people with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or single-sided deafness. Conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss occurs when sound is not traveling through the ear well, while single-sided deafness occurs when one ear functions and the other has little to no hearing. We are honored to provide the BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid) Implant at the Barranco Clinic.
Am I a good candidate for BAHA?
Good candidates for BAHA are people who have entirely lost hearing on one side, as BAHA can be implanted on the deaf side so they can hear sounds from the deaf side without turning their heads. The sound is transmitted directly through the bone to the functioning ear on the other side, without the need for wires or ear molds. BAHA may also improve their ability to hear in noisy situations.
- Examples of good BAHA candidates may have hearing loss due to:
- Ear canal infection resulting in chronic draining ears
- Recurring middle ear infections
- Cholesteatoma, or an abnormal collection of skin cells deep inside the ear
- Sudden hearing loss
- Acoustic neuroma, or a benign tumor that develops on the cochlear nerves leading from the inner ear to the brain
- Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disease that causes vertigo episodes in addition to hearing loss
Since the BAHA device is implanted behind the ear and does not require the use of the ear canal, it is ideal for patients with congenital ear canal and middle ear malformations or congenital aural atresia. Because the ear canal is abnormal, reconstructive surgery and hearing aids may not be usable. The BAHA System can give these patients a higher chance of being able to hear better.
The BAHA System can be implanted in children as young as five, usually in two stages of surgery. The titanium implant is placed and entirely left under the skin during the first surgery to heal for six months. During the second surgery, an opening is made in the skin so the implant can be fitted with the hearing processor.