Know About Bone Anchored Hearing Aid
Many people, the world over, suffer from hearing impairment. The degree of hearing impairment can vary from person to person. It can also be either unilateral or bilateral. So, it is very important to select the right kind of hearing aid. These instruments can be either worn externally or implanted surgically. The surgically implanted hearing aids are of two types, namely, the cochlear implant and the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid or BAHA.
The BAHA is surgically implanted behind a person's ear. The working of this instrument is based on bone conduction. Approved by the FDA, it has been in use since 1977. It is most appropriate for people with conductive hearing loss. Such implants are also suitable for people with unilateral deafness or mixed hearing losses. BAHA is very different from the cochlear implant which is done inside the ear of patients with severe hearing impairment.
The Bone Anchored Hearing Aid consists of three main parts. That is, titanium implants which are surgically implanted in the skull, an external abutment to transmit sound, and a sound processor. BAHA is most suitable for people with severe infections in the external ear. This is because BAHA bypasses the external ear canal and the middle ear. Those suffering from any kind of hearing impairment, due to congenital ear disease, can also opt for BAHA.
The surgery to implant this instrument usually takes only few hours. The process is, however, slightly complicated among certain children. This is a longer two stage process which can take months. In normal surgery, the titanium post is left to bind with the cells and tissues in the surrounding area through osseointegration. Since this process takes at least six months, hearing aid cannot be used before this period. The external abutment is then fitted with batteries which help transmit the sound waves. There are several models available in the BAHA. The Cordelle and the Classic 300 are the older models. The Compact is also somewhat similar to the Classic. But, the Divino model launched in 2005 is very technically advanced, and has done away with most of the earlier complains. It costs around $4000 USD. All these models are from a Swedish company called Entific Medical Systems. The trademark BAHA is also used by this company owned by Cochlear Limited. The surgical implant of Bone Anchored Hearing Aid is a lengthy and expensive procedure. It can cost up to $25,000 USD or more depending on the cost of the hospital or the surgeon. Besides, there are certain risks involved in this procedure. For example, the chances of infections increase a great deal since the titanium or the screw is inside the skull. The adjoining area has to be kept very clean. Small brushes and antibiotics are required for daily care of the hearing aid. Though it requires high maintenance, BAHA is the best solution for certain types of hearing impairment.
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