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Lets Talk About the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

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Lets Talk About the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

Lets Talk About the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

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Home Page > Health > Lets Talk About the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

Lets Talk About the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

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Posted: Feb 06, 2009 |Comments: 0

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Lets Talk About the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

By: Ishilyn Calma

About the Author

Learn all about Best Hearing Aids or look here for the most popular Discount Hearing Aids.

(ArticlesBase SC #759229)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Lets Talk About the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

It is indeed very difficult to lose your sense of hearing. How could you hear those three precious words, I LOVE YOU? How could you hear when your friends are gossiping behind your back? There are just so many things you could do with your ear. On the other hand, if by chance you are already suffering from the angst given by losing your sense of hearing, you shouldn\’t fret as if it\’s already the end of the world. There are so many things that could help you given that science had already opened its door to make the world a much easier place to live on. Why not try bone anchored hearing aid?

So what is this all about? Bone anchored hearing aid is a kind of hearing aid which is primarily based on bone conduction. This kind is specially made for people who suffer from conductive hearing losses, those with mixed hearing loss which cannot wear something on the ear, and those with unilateral hearing loss. The BAHA is a trademark.

How does this work? Actually, this contraption functions with the principle that it needs the use of an abutment in order to properly transfer sound through direct conduction through bone down to the inner ear, going around the middle ear and the external auditory canal. Inside the skull, a titanium post will be inserted though a little abutment is exposed outside the skin. The abutment embraces a small sound processor while it transfers sound vibration into the external abutment of the titanium implant. Actually, it is the implant that would vibrate the inner ear and the skull while on the other hand stimulating the nerve fiber within the inner ear to allow someone to hear.

Good news for patients because on recent years, bone anchored hearing aid surgical procedure had largely improve which results to more and more people availing of the procedure which is now being carried out under local, otherwise short general anesthetic. In view of this, a lot of patients can now leave the hospital after few hours after the procedure and they no longer require analgesia the subsequent day.

Moreover, any procedure does not come without a risk. Given that the titanium screw of the BAHA is located from outside of the bone, there is always the big chance that infection may occur. It is advised that daily care will be observed. One should use a very soft toothbrush to clean the post as well as the skin that surrounds it. Everyday use of antibiotic ointment like Polysporin should also be done in order to lessen the risk for infection.

Most procedure already comes with the complete device needed although it can vary depending upon the hospital. Ask around first so you could get the most affordable deal for your bone anchored hearing aid surgery. Take time to go from one hospital to another so you could weigh every aspect better, after all, every people wants to save.

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Ishilyn Calma -
About the Author:

Learn all about Best Hearing Aids or look here for the most popular Discount Hearing Aids.

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Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/lets-talk-about-the-bone-anchored-hearing-aid-759229.html

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discount hearing aids, best hearing aid, behind the ear hearing aids, sonic digital hearing aids, digita

Getting Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

BAHA Hearing Aids | Category: BAHA Hearing Aids | 1 Comment

Tags: aids, Anchored, Bone, Getting, hearing

Getting Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Bone anchored hearing aids are hearing aids that carry sound through the bone of the skull. Conventional hearing aids amplify sound so the user can hear better. With this type of hearing aid, sound is vibrated through the skull, skipping the outer and middle ear. Just imagine hearing your voice loudly even when wearing earplugs – this is how bone conduction works. These types of hearing aids are prescribed to people with unilateral hearing loss, conductive hearing loss and other hearing losses that cannot be fixed with conventional hearing aids.

Getting Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Getting this type of hearing aid starts with a surgical procedure that imbeds a titanium implant with an external abutment onto the skull. A sound processor is located in the abutment. This processor works as the transmitter of sound, from external sources, to the abutment and then into the titanium implant. The implant then causes the inner ear and the skull to vibrate. This vibration activates the nerves of the inner ear, and causes it to hear.

The process of imbedding the titanium implant is called osseointegration. Bone anchored hearing aids can only be used two to six months after the osseointegration procedure. This is typically an easy one-stage procedure, using only a small amount of anesthesia. Patients can leave after a few hours of rest. The intake of pain relievers may be required for a couple of days.

Osseointegration is a generally safe procedure, with a success rate of above 95%. Failure can be caused by infection – but then, doctors can try the procedure again after curing infections and other side effects. In many of these procedures, the surgeon will put in a second idle receptacle. This idle receptacle will not be used until first one is damaged or fails.

Unlike adults, babies and toddlers go through two stages for the osseointegration procedure. In the first surgical stage, doctors peel back a one centimeter by one centimeter section behind the child’s ears, and then drill holes for the receptors. After six to eight months, the second surgery is done to attach the titanium implant.

For both children and adults, the wounds are allowed to heal for a couple of months before bone anchored hearing aids can be attached and used.

Who Can Get Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

In general, bone anchored hearing aids are for patients who cannot use the conventional hearing aids. They may have inflammation or infection in their ear canal. They may also suffer from malformed ear canals or outer ears. This type of hearing aid is also prescribed for people with deafness only in one ear. Likewise, this type of hearing aid is for people who suffer from bilateral conductive hearing loss because of ossicular diseases.

Risks in Getting Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Since surgery is involved in getting this type of hearing aid, the patient risks contracting infection while the wound is still unhealed. The wound needs to be cleaned daily. A topical antibiotic should be applied in the affected area as the wound heals. Likewise, care should be taken with the titanium imbed. This should be cleaned daily with a soft brush. Its surrounding areas should also me disinfected regularly.

Care should be taken in handling the hearing aids. Even when these are designed to come off their posts, a slight impact may damage them. Cochlear Limited is the only manufacturer of this type of hearing aid for now. They offer warranty and repair within a period of time.

How Much Will It Cost

In terms of the hearing aid unit alone, cost can reach up to US,000. however, with the additional cost of hospitalization and surgery, expenses can add up to ,000, on the average.

Hearing Aid Models

Since Cochlear Limited is the only current provider of this type of hearing aid, there are limited models to choose from:

1. BAHA Classic and BAHA Compact – These models have been discontinued because of developments in BAHA technology. They remain in use but with limited repair options.

2. BAHA Cordelle – This model is for those with severe hearing loss. Sound is amplified more. The Cordelle model is made up of a transducer and an additional attached unit that is worn around the body.

3. BAHA Divino – This model is digital BAHA model with built-in directional microphone.

4. BAHA Intenso – This model is supposedly the more powerful and clearer model. Feedback issues have also been reduced.

Bone anchored hearing aids are clearly the choice hearing aid for those suffering from severe hearing loss, and outer ear and ear canal defects and diseases. Advancements have made the surgical procedures that go with this type of hearing aid relatively safe.

Learn all about Cheap Hearing Aids or look here for the most popular Hearing Aid Reviews.

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