The BAHA system consists of two parts: an implant and an external sound processor. The implant acts as a connector between the sound processor and the inner ear while the sound processor picks up sounds in your environment, processes them, and sends them to the implanted part of the BAHA system.

How Bone-anchored Hearing Aids work

In a person with normal hearing, sound comes in through the outer ear and goes down the ear canal. It then goes through the middle ear and into the cochlea, the inner ear. This is known as "air conduction." 

For people with hearing loss, sound can't travel along these pathways. The BAHA system uses the natural conductivity of the bones to send sound vibrations straight to the inner ear, skipping the auditory canal and middle ear.

The BAHA device has three parts: 

1. An implant made of titanium 
2. An external anchor.
3. A sound processor. 
   

Once the surgical implant is in place, it slowly becomes one with the skull bone over a few months. This is called osseointegration. The BAHA unit can then be put in place and set up. The sound processor sends vibrations to the implant through the external abutment. The skull and inner ear vibrations stimulate the nerve fibers that help you hear.

BAHA is a safe and effective treatment option that has been approved by the FDA. It helps many people who have trouble hearing communicate better. They’ve been used by people with conductive, mixed, or unilateral hearing loss since 1977.

People who have recurrent ear infections that don't get better with treatment may also find the BAHA system very helpful. Due to humidity and moisture building up in the ear canals, traditional hearing aids can make the condition worse. People born with congenital disabilities in their ears, like narrow or nonexistent ear canals, are also good candidates.

What is involved in programming a bone-anchored hearing aid?

This process starts with a few rounds of physical surgery where the ‘anchor’ for the hearing aid is surgically implanted to the head. After 3 to 4 months, when the implant has fused with the bone, you'll come to see us and get your BAHA sound processor. During the appointment, you will learn how to use and work with the BAHA. At this appointment, you will also be given objective tests to ensure that the BAHA sound processor is helping you.

Deciding to use BAHA is a big step. The experts at Hearing Spa will be there to help you with BAHA programming, follow-up treatment, and ongoing maintenance once the implant is implanted. We recognize that questions will occur after you receive the implant, and we pledge to be there for you every step of the process.

Call us for additional information on BAHA and how it differs from cochlear implants and discuss your candidacy. We look forward to working with you and assisting you in finding the finest hearing solution for you.