How Do Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids Work?

Bone-anchored hearing aids consist of a titanium implant, an external connector and a sound processor. The device works by sending sound vibrations to the external connector to the implant, which eventually integrates with your skull bone. A bone-anchored hearing aid may restore partial hearing in people with certain types of hearing loss or those who aren’t good candidates for traditional hearing aids.

Who Are Candidates for Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids?

Bone-anchored hearing aids may benefit patients who are unable to wear hearing aids or who have: Single-sided deafness Malformation to the ear Chronic middle ear infections A cholesteatoma or an acoustic neuroma Ménière’s disease

What Are the Benefits of Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids?

Along with being an ideal fit for some patients, BAHA devices offer several additional advantages. Unlike traditional hearing aids, they do not require you to insert anything into your ear canal, which may result in a more comfortable fit and help with sensory issues. Additionally, bone-anchored hearing aids can improve sound localization for patients with single-sided deafness.

What Should I Expect During Surgery for Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids?

Surgery for bone-anchored hearing aids is a minimally invasive procedure that typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. The specifics of your procedure will depend on the type of BAHA device you receive. Our Pinnacle ENT providers will explain every step of the process so you know what’s to come and can ask any questions. Your ENT will give you local or general anesthesia to ensure that you remain comfortable during the procedure. Next, they will: Make a small incision of about 4 millimeters behind your ear Drill a small hole into the mastoid bone in your skull Place a titanium implant into your mastoid bone, which is behind your ear Place an abutment, or connector, to the implant Close the incision with stitches Through a process called osseointegration, your skull fuses to the titanium implant to provide stability. This process usually takes between one and three months. Once this fusion is complete, your doctor will attach the sound processor to the external connector.

Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids: Understanding How They Work and Who They Help

While traditional hearing aids amplify sound through your middle ear, bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) send sound waves directly to your inner ear. They are surgically implanted into the bones of your skull.

Our audiologists at Pinnacle ENT will help you determine if traditional hearing aids or bone-anchored devices will be a better fit for you.

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Life’s moments shouldn’t be missed due to common ENT and audiology issues. With Pinnacle ENT as your medical provider, you can step back into the spotlight of your life, reclaiming the joy of everything from the biggest moments in life to the simplest pleasures.

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