COCHLEAR BAHA® - Bone anchored hearing implants

In certain cases neither a conventional hearing aid, nor a cochlear implant will be adequate to compensate for a specific hearing loss. In cases where the middle ear is blocked or damaged, or where only one ear is functional, a Baha®, also known as a bone anchored hearing implant, is more effective.

What is a Baha®?

We hear sound naturally in two ways: via air conduction and bone conduction. A Baha® is a bone conduction system that sends sound vibrations through the bone, directly to the inner ear. I.e., instead of trying to send sound through the damaged area, the Baha® system reroutes it directly through the bone, naturally stimulating the inner ear or cochlea.

A Baha® consists of a titanium fixture and abutment (implant) that is placed in the mastoid bone behind the ear where it grows with the living bone. An external sound processor is attached to the implant after a healing period of six to twelve weeks, which picks up and transfers external sounds directly to the cochlea via bone conduction (the skull).

What are the benefits?

A Baha® bypasses the conductive element (middle ear) of a hearing loss and only needs to compensate for the sensorineural element (cochlea function)
Patients with a unilateral (one ear) hearing loss may again experience the benefit of binaural (two ears) hearing
It is a minor procedure that cannot damage a patient’s hearing
It can be trialed beforehand to evaluate whether the Baha® will be of help
It does not obstruct the ear canal
Improved comfort – no constant pressure to the skull

Who qualifies for a Baha®?

In general, people who have middle ear problems, or can hear with only one ear, are ideal candidates for a Baha®. The Baha® is a reliable and effective solution to hearing loss.

For further information contact Southern ENT, Nicolette van Zyl at 082 819 0205 or visit
www.southernear.com / www.cochlear.com or the Facebook Baha Support Group (patient forum)