If you are struggling with hearing loss in one or both ears, you may benefit from a Cochlear Baha device.
The Cochlear Baha system uses bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) to address hearing impairment in patients with problems in their outer or middle ears.
Bone-anchored hearing aids carry sound directly to the cochlea by bone vibration, bypassing the outer and middle ear. Learning more about Cochlear Baha devices can be a helpful first step if you are searching for a hearing impairment solution.
Will a Baha Implant help you?
When seeking a bone-anchored hearing aid, you should consider these questions. Patients who answer “yes,” to any combination of the following may benefit from Cochlear Baha devices:
- Are you deaf in one ear?
- Do you have trouble getting sufficient loudness when using hearing aids?
- Do you battle feedback or distorted sound quality when using hearing aids?
- Do you suffer from sore or irritated ears due to your hearing aids?
- Do you have malformed ears or ear canals?
To determine whether the Cochlear Baha system is right for you, you should schedule a consultation with an audiologist who can evaluate the cause and extent of your hearing loss. Our Doctors of Audiology will assess the severity of your hearing impairment to determine which Cochlear Baha implant will help restore your quality of life.
Who Can Get a Cochlear Baha System?
Cochlear Baha devices are intended for patients with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, and single-sided sensorineural deafness. The Cochlear Baha system can help with these various types of hearing loss by routing sound directly to the cochlea via bone conduction.
If you are found to be a good candidate for the Baha Cochlear implant, you will be able to schedule your hearing aid procedure.
During implantation, a titanium implant is placed inside the skull, with a small extension that leads outside of the skull and behind the ear. The sound processor is connected to the implant directly in the bone. This transmits sounds by sending vibrations to the skull and inner ear until they hit the auditory nerve.
After your Baha Cochlear implant is placed, a bandage will be placed over your incision. These bandages are typically removed within one week after implantation. You will receive detailed aftercare instructions on how to care for your incision and anything you should avoid for the next few weeks after treatment.
Types of Cochlear Baha Systems
There are both surgical and non-surgical Cochlear Baha implants. Surgical implants are implanted within the skull and extend outwards behind the ear. Non-surgical implants are worn on a headband that wraps around the outside of the skull.
The Cochlear Baha system has several different products, including Baha Attract and Baha Connect. Baha Attract uses a magnetic connection to attach the sound processor to the implant, while Baha Connect uses a small abutment to attach the sound processor directly to the implant.
Taking Care of Your Cochlear Baha
To care for your Cochlear Baha implant, you will need to regularly clean the external portions of the device with an alcohol wipe. This keeps your implant clean and free of bacteria. If you encounter any issues with your implants, you should consult the guide that will come with your system after implantation. Some concerns may need medical treatment, such as skin growth over the implant or irritation from the device. You can also speak to your audiologist for troubleshooting tips and how to address common concerns.
Try it out, then decide
With the Cochlear Baha System, you have the unique advantage of hearing the difference first. At Happy Ears Hearing Center, our Doctors of Audiology can help you try a sound processor so you can hear how it might sound before you make any decisions. Cochlear Baha has two different types of systems available including the Baha Attract and the Baha Connect System.
Schedule a consultation with our audiologists to find out which Cochlear Baha system best fits you today.