Bone-Anchored Hearing Implant (BAHI)
Reid Health ENT & Hearing Center offers bone-anchored hearing implants for patients with conductive, mixed, or single-sided hearing loss.
Reconnect with sound through bone conduction
If you have conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or single-sided deafness (SSD), a bone-anchored hearing implant (BAHI) might be the solution you've been searching for. Unlike traditional hearing aids that amplify sound through the ear canal, BAHIs use bone conduction to send sound vibrations directly to your inner ear, bypassing damaged areas.
What’s a bone-anchored hearing implant?
A BAHI is a surgically implanted device designed to improve hearing by transmitting sound vibrations through the bones of your skull directly to the cochlea (inner ear). The device consists of three main components:
- Titanium implant: Surgically placed into the bone behind the ear.
- Abutment or magnet: Connects the implant to the external processor.
- Sound processor: Worn externally, it captures sound and transmits vibrations to the implant.
This system is particularly beneficial for individuals who can’t use traditional hearing aids because of issues like chronic ear infections, ear canal malformations, or single-sided deafness.
Understanding who’s a candidate for a bone-anchored implant
You might be a candidate for a BAHI if you experience:
- Conductive hearing loss: Where sound cannot efficiently travel through the outer or middle ear
- Mixed hearing loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
- Single-sided deafness (SSD): Normal hearing in one ear and profound hearing loss in the other
Ideal candidates typically have a functioning cochlea and a stable bone structure for implant placement.
What to expect during the procedure
The BAHI procedure typically involves:
- Consultation: Comprehensive hearing evaluation and candidacy assessment
- Surgical placement: A small titanium implant is placed into the bone behind the ear.
- Healing period: The implant integrates with the bone over several months (osseointegration).
- Sound processor fitting: Once healed, the external processor is fitted and programmed to your hearing needs.
The procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia, and most patients can return home the same day.