Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Osseointegrated Hearing Solutions (aka BAHA) at The Hearing Center in Jacksonville

What is BAHA?

A Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (also referred to as a BAHA) is a surgically implantable system cleared by the FDA in 1996 as a treatment for conductive and mixed hearing losses, and in 2002 for the treatment of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The device functions by bypassing the outer and middle ear, conducting sound directly to the inner ear via vibration of the skull bones.

How does a BAHA work?

The BAHA consists of three parts: a titanium implant, external abutment, and a sound processor. The titanium implant is placed during a short surgical procedure and over the next month will integrate with the skull’s temporal bone. Approximately one month later you will return to our facility to have the external device, a.k.a. processor, programmed.
The processor includes two microphones which detect, filter according to your programming, and transfer sound to the abutment via sound vibrations. The vibrations bypass the external and middle ear systems, allowing for a clear transmission to the cochlea via the osseointegrated titanium implant.

Who would benefit from a BAHA?

A BAHA is often recommended for cases in which the outer and middle ear function is damaged, occluded, or non-existent. Some examples of this would include: chronic ear infections, congenital external auditory canal atresia, and Single Sided Deafness (SSD)*.
* Other options such as the CROS hearing aid are also available for SSD.