BAHA Hearing Aid

The device consists of three components that use the principle of direct bone conduction to transmit sound effectively. They are:

• The titanium fixture: a titanium screw that is implanted behind the ear
  
• The external sound processor
• The abutment: this connects with the screw, although it remains visible on the surface of the skull

There are different sound processors. Your physician will help choose the most suitable device. The devices come in different colours to match your hair colour.

Due to the high quality of bone-anchored hearing aids and implantation of the device, the regular price ranges between $10,000 and $17,000, including surgical costs.

The sound processor prices vary between $5,000 to $8,000 depending on the manufacturer's features.

There are two main categories of bone-anchored hearing aids:

• A magnet BAHA
  
  This type of BAHA has a magnet implant shaped like a flat disc that lies under the skin. Magnetic attraction holds the sound processor in the skull, so there are fewer risks of implantation site complications like infection and skin irritation.

• An abutment BAHA
  
  This implant works directly through the skin of the skull. The abutment links the implant to the sound processor to allow the vibration of sounds to the inner ear, producing better hearing outcomes and no issues with magnetic resonance imaging scans.

The bone-anchored hearing aid is most helpful to patients with one perfectly functioning inner ear. The candidate is likely to have conductive or entire hearing loss. A professional will examine the patient before implanting the device.

Note, a well-functioning inner ear is supportive for the BAHA to work appropriately. Hence, the physician will use a bone conduction device for a trial before the surgery to ascertain the patient's suitability.

Once a patient fits this implant, the professional will operate to place the titanium implant behind the ear. The titanium implant is about 4 mm long in the external skull, and it will take around 3 to 4 months to assimilate into the bony tissue.

After the integration process is over, the physician will apply the external sound processor and turn it on. The physician will also program the device to the exact hearing loss of the patient by making some adjustments until the patient gets accurate hearing of amplified sounds.

The hearing aid device works by converting sound at the side of the implant into bone vibration. In turn, the implant will vibrate the adjacent bone, stimulating the cochlea directly. The sound waves will then incite the hair cells, which will trigger the hearing nerve.

The bone-anchored hearing aid is safe as it is certified by US Food and Administration for hearing loss whether:

• Single-sided hearing loss
  
  This is when the patient loses all hearing capabilities in one ear while the other ear functions well. These patients will find it hard to identify the direction of the sound, making it difficult to hear well in noisy surroundings. It can result from viral-induced deafness, acoustic neuroma, surgery, ageing, or injury.

• Conductive hearing loss
  
  Conductive hearing loss, or damage to the middle or outer ear, occurs after congenital aural atresia, chronic infection, middle ear or ear canal dysfunction, sudden ear loss or mastoid cavities.
  
  
• Mixed hearing loss
  
  This hearing loss occurs in patients with both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. Here, you find that both the inner and outer ear are not adequately functioning due to damage in the nerve pathway leading to the brain.

To be sure what kind of hearing loss you have, visit a hearing professional.

Bone anchored hearing aids have advanced, high-tech components. With this hearing aid, you can freely stream sound from a music player, mobile phone, or television to your sound processor. In that way, you will get clear sounds even when in noisy areas.

Depending on your BAHA quality, you can make some changes to your device using the smartphone app. The app also helps you learn how the bone-anchored hearing aid works and how to control its functions and volume using your mobile phone.

If you aren't sure which smartphone app fits your device, seek assistance from the manufacturer.

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