Does anyone here use BAHA?

Dixie

Dixie

Farting Snowflakes
Premium Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
13,367
Reaction score
3
I have never heard of this before today and I'm not actually going to do it, I'm just curious about the technology. It's like somewhere between a HA and CI, at least to me it is based on my super limited knowledge of it.

Anyone?
 
The only reason why it's so hyped is b/c of marketing. I remember before Coachler bought entific, the BAHA was an obscure little gizmo....now it's so popular that other HA companies are coming out with them.
 
Bahas are kind of like cochlear implants expect it uses bone instead cohclear to conduct sounds. It's used for conductive/mixed hearing loss and unilateral sensorineural loss. I do not qualify for this implant because I do not have conductive hearing loss and I have bilateral sensorineural loss.
 
My audie said I was a prime candidate for this but it's wickedly expensive. If I had insurance she said more than likely it would be covered. It's something to consider if the bi-cross HAs don't work well for me.

Down side is, if my hearing in my HOH ear declines, then what?
 
a kid from school just got one, i asked him hows he liking it and he said it was good. didnt talk much more, hes not very easy to socialize with lol
 
I don't have one, but a close friend does. She LOVES it. She had hers done at the Mayo Hospital (because it's near where she lives). I don't recall whether she ever said it was outpatient or not. She keeps the "processor" snuggled in her bra :lol: She had db loss to a point that no HA worked for her anymore, hence the BAHA. Sorry, that's all I can tell you ..
 
Dixie said:
My audie said I was a prime candidate for this but it's wickedly expensive. If I had insurance she said more than likely it would be covered. It's something to consider if the bi-cross HAs don't work well for me.

Down side is, if my hearing in my HOH ear declines, then what?
Click to expand...

I don't think BAHA does any damages. So it doesn't matter at all if that ear declines.
 
In the past I did look into the possibility of a BAHA (bone anchored hearing aid). It was said that it could help me after the cholesteatoma was removed.

I did not like the surgery part back then. Yes, I am a big scaredy cat.

These items were cons to me.

1, a visible anchor (think of a small snap) that required daily cleansing around the site with a little toothbrush for babies.

2. they permanently remove hair follicles so that you have a permanent bald spot. The processor thing does look a bit odd, even the small ones.

3. a permanent titanium screw in my head. (I already have loose screws there - lol)

4. one month after the snap is fitted to your skull before you get the temp fitting off

5. another month before you can get your processor

6. the expense of replacing or repairing the processor every 3 to 5 years.

Well, that pretty much outweighed the pro.

1. I could maybe hear better... (pbbffflllltttt)

There is a new baha out these days. A magnet is implanted under your skin leaving no (snap - on) abbuttment. So you dont have to carefully brush around the site anymore. There is very little if any chance of infection. It is the Alpha 1 (M) hearing device. It is still a baha, just with magnets and not snaps.

Do I want it - eww no! But if someone was considering one it would be best to see what an Audi thought.
 
The magnet one does sound like a better alternative. They say they don't put you completely under for the procedure, they use localized anesthesia. Sounds freaky to me. I can't imagine being conscious while some one is breaking my skull open for an anchor. Do they remove hair follicles for the magnet?
 
I did some looking into the Sophono Alpha 1(M) and it seems it's competing rather well against Cochlear BAHA and Oticon Ponto Pro. It was cleared by the FDA in March of 2010 so it's still new. The downside to it is it hasn't yet been cleared for MRIs due to the magnet. The Sophono company said they are currently doing studies on that and should have a definite answer sometime next year. It's good to know there is an alternative to BAHA with an abutment. This could be interesting to see how this develops over the next couple of years.
 
Wait wait, can you take it off like a cochlear implant, or is it always sticking out of your head? Bone anchor....that term just makes me feel uncomfortable.
 
melindajanet said:
Wait wait, can you take it off like a cochlear implant, or is it always sticking out of your head? Bone anchor....that term just makes me feel uncomfortable.
Click to expand...

If you aren't going to get one, why? Is it an esthetic problem for you? :cool2:

But the external part is just put on and taken off like any other aid.
 
Bottesini said:
If you aren't going to get one, why? Is it an esthetic problem for you? :cool2:

But the external part is just put on and taken off like any other aid.
Click to expand...

Not at all, I'm just genuinely curious! When I was looking up Cochlear clinics on their website I noticed that the locations were sorted by Cochlear and Baha, and when I asked my boyfriend what Baha was he didn't know either (he's deaf, I'm hearing).
 
melindajanet said:
Not at all, I'm just genuinely curious! When I was looking up Cochlear clinics on their website I noticed that the locations were sorted by Cochlear and Baha, and when I asked my boyfriend what Baha was he didn't know either (he's deaf, I'm hearing).
Click to expand...

Yes, but as you are a hearing person, it should not concern you.
 
Bottesini said:
Yes, but as you are a hearing person, it should not concern you.
Click to expand...
That makes no sense. I can be curious about whatever I want ;) but thanks for your unnecessary and uninformative interjection! I'm sure there are plenty of deaf/hh people who are interested in how Baha works who would never get one -- should they not ask questions either? The OP, for example?
 
melindajanet said:
Wait wait, can you take it off like a cochlear implant, or is it always sticking out of your head? Bone anchor....that term just makes me feel uncomfortable.
Click to expand...

melindajanet said:
That makes no sense. I can be curious about whatever I want ;) but thanks for your unnecessary and uninformative interjection! I'm sure there are plenty of deaf/hh people who are interested in how Baha works who would never get one -- should they not ask questions either? The OP, for example?
Click to expand...

Do you see what you wrote in the top quote.

Whether you as a hearing person are uncomfortable about a bone anchored device, is really immaterial.

You a be curious, fine, but I have a problem when you start making judgemental statements about something a deaf person might choose.
 
Bottesini said:
Do you see what you wrote in the top quote.

Whether you as a hearing person are uncomfortable about a bone anchored device, is really immaterial.

You a be curious, fine, but I have a problem when you start making judgemental statements about something a deaf person might choose.
Click to expand...

You misinterpreted what I meant and jumped to conclusions. The term "bone anchor" makes me feel uncomfortable in the same way the term "knee joint replacement" makes me feel uncomfortable. That is, because it's done via a medical procedure involving bone. I realize that cochlear implant surgery does as well, as does brain surgery etc. etc. It had nothing to do with "making judgmental statements about something a deaf person might choose". In fact, the only one making judgments here seems to be you.
 
Wirelessly posted

I dont think its worth it unless you have atresia or ear canal/structure abnormality, test Bi-Cros hearing aid with trial period
 
Wirelessly posted

i think you use it (i know you can try it out) on a soft band, no surgery required.
 
faire_jour said:
Wirelessly posted

i think you use it (i know you can try it out) on a soft band, no surgery required.
Click to expand...

I've heard they'll use the band to determine if the BAHA is something that will help. If you get the BAHA' then there is surgery.

Dixie, I think you should try the bi-cross for now.
 
Back
Top