BAHA Ear Implants @ ENT Clinic of Iowa

Discreet and Highly Effective: BAHA® Hearing System

People with conductive and mixed loss hearing impairment have an exciting new option—the BAHA System, a unique and effective solution for specific types of hearing impairment.

The BAHA System combines a sound processor with a small titanium fixture implanted behind the ear. The system allows sound to be conducted through the bone rather than via the middle ear—a process known as direct bone conduction. Surgery is minor, and many patients report a wide range of advantages over other hearing devices.

BAHA sound processors can provide significant benefits for people with the following hearing impairments:

Chronic inflammation or infection of the ear canal
Single-sided deafness
Incomplete ear canal as a result of a congenital ear malformation (Treacher Collins Syndrome)

Chronic ear infections

The BAHA system can be a real solution for many people with this type of impairment. The BAHA sound processor is attached to a small fixture placed in the bone behind the ear and transmits sound directly to the hearing nerve without involving the ear canal. With BAHA there is no occlusion of the ear canal to aggravate infection. The ear canal is left open giving the infection a chance to heal. A BAHA sound processor offers sound quality at least as good as an AC device. For those who have had middle ear surgery, problems related to feedback and discomfort are usually resolved.

BAHA has also been offered successfully to people with bilateral conductive loss due to ossicular disease e.g. otosclerosis and for hearing impairments related to other congenital syndromes such as Down’s Syndrome.

Single-sided deafness

BAHA, now an FDA cleared solution for SSD, provides a completely unique benefit. The BAHA device is placed on the deaf ear side behind the ear and transfers sound through bone conduction, stimulating the cochlea from the normal hearing ear. BAHA gives the possibility to hear and understand sounds from both sides of the head where previously the head shadow effect totally masked certain sounds. This ultimately results in the sensation of hearing sound from the deaf side.

Congenital hearing loss

The BAHA system can be a real solution for people with this type of impairment. The BAHA sound processor is attached to a small fixture placed in the bone behind the ear, transmitting sound directly to the hearing nerve without involving the ear canal. BAHA therefore offers significantly better sound quality than that of a traditional bone conductor. The BAHA sound processor works without pressure on the skin avoiding the headaches and soreness associated with the conventional bone conductor. BAHA offers excellent wearing comfort and a better aesthetic result.