BAHA Devices

What is a BAHA device?

The BAHA(bone-anchored hearing aid) is a a semi-implantable percutaneous bone conduction hearing device coupled to the skull by an osseointegrated titanium implant. A BAHA consists of three parts: a titanium implant, an external abutment, and a sound processor. The system works by enhancing natural bone transmission as a pathway for sound to travel to the inner ear, bypassing the external auditory canal and middle ear. The titanium implant is placed during a short surgical procedure and over time naturally integrates with the skull bone. For hearing, the sound processor transmits sound vibrations through the external abutment to the titanium implant. The vibrating sets up vibrations within the skull and inner ear that finally stimulate the nerve fibers of the inner ear, allowing hearing.

Who is a BAHA candidate?

The FDA has approved the use of the BAHA for treatment of permanent conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (single-sided deafness). Permanent placement of a BAHA is a surgical procedure however a patient is able to temporarily trial the device by using it on a headband before proceeding with the surgery. Pediatric BAHA candidates may have to wear the device on a soft headband for an extended period of time until they are old enough for surgical implantation.

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss may be congenital or acquired. Congenital conductive hearing loss may be due to atresia (absence) or stenosis (narrowing) of the ear canal or malformation of the three middle ear ossicles (bones). Acquired conductive hearing loss may be due to chronic middle or outer ear infections.

Single-sided deafness

Patients with single-sided deafness have a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing in the other ear. Unilateral hearing loss may be congenital, sudden or due to a surgical procedure. In cases of single-sided deafness the BAHA is placed on the poorer ear and the cochlea of the normal ear is stimulated through bone conduction.

For more information about BAHA device systems that are available in the US, you can visit the Cochlear Implants website.

For questions about BAHA call: 757.388.6234

To schedule an appointment please call: 757.388.6200