Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids versus Conventional Hearing Aids

Abstract

Hearing amplification technology has been evolving since the 19th century. Currently in most audiology departments, the mainstay of hearing rehabilitation is performed with conventional air and bone conduction aids. These are cost-effective, non-invasive hearing aids but are not without their drawbacks. This chapter explores the advantages and disadvantages of conventional hearing aids compared with the bone-anchored hearing aids. Although the bone-anchored hearing aids are a more expensive invasive option, there is increasing evidence that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Users report improved quality of life, health status and audiological rehabilitation.

Trends in hearing rehabilitation use among vestibular schwannoma patients

“…Given prior studies demonstrating improved patient satisfaction with BAHD and CI in patients with unilateral losses, we hypothesized that users of these devices would have higher satisfaction and correspondingly higher APHAB scores than their unaided or CROS counterparts . The number of BAHD or CI users in our group was small, with two current users in each group, but the experiences of these patients were quite heterogenous.…”

Management of repeated trauma to bone-anchored hearing aids in a paediatric patient

“…3 Bone-anchored hearing aids are indicated in children with ear canal atresia and congenital auricular deformities because they have better sound transmission and increased comfort compared with behind-the-ear hearing aids. 4,5 Trauma to BAHAs is a recognised problem in children. 6 If the sound processor is damaged, this can be replaced.…”

“…They have been used since 1977 2 in more than 75 000 patients 3 . Bone-anchored hearing aids are indicated in children with ear canal atresia and congenital auricular deformities because they have better sound transmission and increased comfort compared with behind-the-ear hearing aids 4 , 5 …”

Cochlear Implant and Its Related Science

“…A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) or bone-anchored hearing device is a type of hearing aid based on bone conduction [ 7 , 8 ]. They are more expensive than conventional hearing aids, and their placement involves invasive surgery which carries a risk of complications [ 8 ].…”

“…A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) or bone-anchored hearing device is a type of hearing aid based on bone conduction [ 7 , 8 ]. They are more expensive than conventional hearing aids, and their placement involves invasive surgery which carries a risk of complications [ 8 ]. The use of a wide fixture implant and the nonskin thinning surgical technique indicates that the combination is a safe procedure with good stability and no abutment losses in M. Hultcrantz's research.…”