Information for surgeons about bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA)

[Guest guest]

i always get nervous sending attachments to this group - because more often

than not, i don't seem to be able to send them! so, i really hope that this

one comes through - i do not remember the site's address from where it

came - therfore i cannot direct you to it! so, here goes.........

Information for surgeons about bone anchored hearing aids

(BAHA)

BAHA® - the natural alternative

A common problem facing otologists when treating patients suffering from middle ear disease is to obtain a dry ear with good hearing. If the patient uses an air conduction (AC) device, the ear mould usually aggravates any ongoing infection in the middle ear and ear canal. Traditional bone conducting (BC) devices also have several drawbacks being both cumbersome and obtrusive. Headaches caused by pressure on the skull, sore skin caused by abrasion and poor sound quality are well documented. Another category of patients using conventional BC devices are those with congenital ear malformations with either missing or incomplete ear canals.

Indications

Since 1977, BAHA ® has offered an alternative solution for certain groups of patients:

chronically draining ear which does not allow the use of an AC hearing aid (external otitis, draining mastoid cavity)

congenital or other acquired malformation of the middle/external ear or microtia

those with bilateral conductive loss due to ossicular disease who are not appropriate for surgical correction and are unable to be aided by a conventional AC device

any patient dissatisfied with a conventional BC device

In the case of middle ear disease the ear canal is left open allowing the infection to heal. For patients who have undergone ear canal surgery there are usually no feedback problems when using BAHA. The system provides direct sound transmission through the bone and works without pressure on the skin therefore avoiding the drawbacks of the conventional BC device.

Surgery

To install BAHA, a small titanium fixture is implanted in the mastoid where it osseointegrates to the living bone. After a three month healing period a percutaneous abutment is attached to the fixture. The sound processor can then be connected and disconnected at will. Both of these surgical procedures can be performed under local anaesthesia and can be regarded as minor from both the doctor's and patient's point of view.

Today more than 7000 patients have been treated with BAHA and many clinical papers are available describing the excellent rehabilitation results achieved.

Note : The surgical procedure as well as selection of patients are of great importance for successful treatment. Therefore detailed manuals surgical training courses are available.

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[Guest guest]

phew...now i don't feel sooooooo stupid when it comes to computers!

thanks steve!

RE: Information for surgeons about bone

anchored hearing aids (BAHA)

,

I think the Yahoo Groups handles the attachments better than MSn did. I got

this one OK.

BTW: it is from the Entific web site http://www.entific.com/baha/baha.htm

Steve

> i always get nervous sending attachments to this group - because

> more often

> than not, i don't seem to be able to send them! so, i really

> hope that this

> one comes through - i do not remember the site's address from where it

> came - therfore i cannot direct you to it! so, here goes.........