BAHA Questions

[amandatr694]

My 4 year old( will be 5 in sept)  was born with unilaterial hearing loss, we tried a hearing aid but her hearing has gotten worse. Now they want us to get a baha. How painfull is this and does it work?  She is getting ready to start school and really doesn't show any delays or problems.

[Nancy T]

There is a "Baha People" group (mailing list) on Yahoo Groups which seems to have a lot of parents with Baha children on it--you might join that one. Also there is a Baha users forum based in Kent, England--google "Baha  users" and  you'll find it. Most kids have no trouble with the surgery.

YES the Baha works; I love mine. With kids there are some different issues (such as their high activity level). Bilateral hearing will be helpful to her in school and in her life. Even though hearing appears normal with one ear, you DO miss some things in certain situations. The technology is there to help  her hear everything, so why not try it?

Good luck and please find a dedicated Baha forum; there are lots of people with lots of advice, esp. in relation to children.

[OHNS2010]

Hi,

Baha or the Bone anchoring hearing aid is a type of hearing aid where in the hearing aid is directly anchored over the bone, which in turn stimulates the nerve fibers in the inner ear and sending the impulses to the brain. It is usually fitted in those individuals who have unilateral hearing loss, conductive or mixed hearing loss. It does work well as it stimulates the inner ear directly bypassing the ear drum and the middle ear. It is usually done under general anesthesia, not a very painful surgery. Before undergoing the surgery ask your doctor to perform a pre-surgical check up on your child with the prototype of those hearing aids. Anymore doubts you are welcome.

Regards
OHNS2010