UK and Ireland experience of bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) in individuals with Down syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the indications, surgical techniques and post-operative problems seen in children with Down syndrome fitted with bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA).

Methods: A postal survey of all registered United Kingdom and Ireland BAHA centres.

Results: There was a 98% response rate to the survey. Eighty-one centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland undertake BAHA surgery. Eighteen centres were identified to have undertaken BAHA surgery on individuals with Down syndrome. A total of 43 individuals were implanted. Twenty-four cases were under the age of 16. Soft tissue complications were encountered in 21 patients (49%). Osseointegration failures were encountered in four cases (9%). There was a high level of satisfaction with the BAHA system amongst patients, parents and carers.

Conclusions: BAHA is a valuable method of hearing amplification in children with Down syndrome. It should be considered not as a primary method of amplification, but in the overall management of individuals with Down syndrome after conventional hearing aids and/or ventilation tubes have been considered or already failed. The survey shows a high patient and carer satisfaction with the system, despite short term early soft tissue complications.