Cochlear Baha

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Introduction

Amongst other features, this system provides:

• Excellent clarity in noise
• Simplicity in use: fully programmable and automatic
• Water resistance
• Paediatric features to meet the tough challenges placed on parents for a hearing solution for active children of all ages

The Baha^® 3 is our latest bone anchored hearing implant, featuring the Baha^® 3 sound processors (BP100 and BP110 Power), and BI300 implant system. The Baha^® BP100 is the industry’s first fully software programmable sound processor dedicated to bone conduction. Unlike other hearing implants, a Baha can be trialled before making the decision to proceed with surgery. The sound processor is connected to a test band, test rod or Baha^® Softband, allowing you to instantly experience hearing via the Baha^® system. As a parent, you too can trial Baha to experience the quality of sound your child will be hearing. Learn more: Cochlear Baha – Bone Conduction

What is a Baha^®?

Baha® is a bone anchored system that bypasses the outer and middle ear and conducts sound directly to the middle ear via the skull. It is, for example, the most effective way to provide hearing for children and adults with outer or middle ear trouble. Typical hearing aids rely on air conduction and a functioning middle ear. In cases where the middle ear is blocked or damaged, a Baha^® provides a better option as it bypasses the outer and middle ear and conducts sound via bone (the skull). Read more: Cochlear Baha^® – Bone conduction for adults

Who qualifies?

The Baha® system is normally indicated for patients who were born without ear canals or have middle-ear problems and cannot wear conventional hearing aids. It can help people who have:

• Single sided nerve hearing loss (total hearing loss on one side)
• Conductive hearing loss (problems with the outer or middle ear)
• Mixed hearing loss (problems with the outer/middle and inner ear)

See referral criteria for professionals under ‘downloadable content’ on the PROFESSIONALS page.

How does a Baha^® work?

The Baha^® system consists of a titanium implant that is placed in the bone behind the ear where it grows together with the living bone. An external sound processor is attached to the implant, which transfers external sounds directly to the cochlea via bone conduction (the skull). Read more: CochlearTM Baha® – Bone conduction for adults

What are the benefits of a Baha^®?

Unlike other hearing implants, a Baha^® can be trialled before making the decision to proceed with surgery. The sound processor is connected to a test band, test rod or Baha^® Softband, allowing you to instantly experience hearing via the Baha^® system. As a parent, you too can trial Baha to experience the quality of sound your child will be hearing. Other benefits include:

• Greater confidence in social situations
• Focussed hearing in noisy environments (like classrooms, restaurants)
• Enjoying sound on the deaf side (sensation of hearing sounds coming from both sides)
• Feeling safer in the world (hear alarms, people calling out and approaching vehicles)

Where do I start?

It is crucial to visit an Audiologist or Ear Nose and Throat specialist when you, or your child, experience a hearing loss. Potential candidates can be referred to, or contact Southern ENT to connect you with your nearest Baha team. It is crucial that people considering a Baha be evaluated by a specialised and experienced Baha team.

What can I expect at a Baha^® clinic?

Potential candidates have to undergo a series of medical tests to ensure they comply with the clinical criteria to benefit from a Baha^®. The surgery is performed by specialized Ear Nose and Throat Surgeons and is preceded by the intervention of a multi professional team that could include:

• Medical practitioners to evaluate the cause of hearing loss and general health
• Radiologists performing CT and MRI scans of the ears
• Audiologists to evaluate patients’ hearing, do the fitting and programming of the device after the implant and help with rehabilitation
• Speech and Language Therapists that also help with rehabilitation
• Psychologists to assess patients’ ability to cope with the surgery and participate in follow-up programs if needed
• Social Workers that guide and manage family and patient expectations
• Special education that helps with patients educational needs

Importance of early implantation

Early implantation is of utmost importance if somebody was born with a hearing disability as it influences the child’s ability to develop spoken language and adapt in a main stream school. There is nothing worse for a mother of a new born child than receiving confirmation that your child suffers from a disability. Hearing impairment is the largest, single disability; a silent killer as very often it goes undetected, ignored, or mistreated. If a child is congenitally deaf, and receives no hearing amplification he/she will hardly be able to develop spoken language after 3-4 years because even with amplification, the hearing pathway no longer activates the auditory cortex, but the visual cortex. This is largely due to the fact that these children have to rely solely on their vision to ‘hear’ and make sense of a very auditory world. It is therefore imperative that parents are guided into making the decision for the child to be a part of the hearing world or not, at the earliest time as possible. A Baha^® Softband can be worn from as early as birth to ensure your child is connected to sound from the start.

Trials:

Unlike other hearing implants, a Baha^® can be trialled before making the decision to proceed with surgery. The sound processor is connected to a test band, test rod or Baha^® Softband, allowing you to instantly experience hearing via the Baha^® system. As a parent, you too can trial Baha^® to experience the quality of sound your child will be hearing.

Fitting:

Fitting usually takes place between 3 weeks and 3 months post-surgery depending on the device that was implanted and the quality of bone of the patient. Fitting refers to the connection of the external sound processor to the Baha implant in the skull that connects the patient to sound for the first time after the implant. The fitting is often uneventful because the brain needs time and practice to adjust to the new sound. The results will emerge over time.

Rehabilitation:

Rehabilitation is an accepted part of the implant process since the brain needs auditory training and exercise to get used to the new sound.  Read more on our PATIENTS page.

Auditory verbal rehabilitation:

During 2010, Southern ENT sponsored thirteen professionals from around South Africa to complete a yearlong training programme in Auditory Verbal Practice (AVP) under Warren Estabrooks, President and CEO of WE Listen International.  The aim of AVP is to enable children with hearing disabilities to communicate through speech. Contact us via our enquiry form for more information.

Never too old to be implanted:

There are no age restrictions on Baha^® implants. If you are told that “hearing aids will no longer help/nothing more can be done”, a referral to a Baha^® clinic might be that last resort. Contact us to connect you with your nearest clinic for an evaluation.