Bone anchored hearing aid wearers with significant sensorineural hearing losses (borderline candidates): patients' results and opinions

Abstract

Bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) have been implanted in Birmingham since 1988. Since this time confidence has grown in the fitting and rehabilitation of BAHA wearers, with corresponding increase in the implantation and rehabilitation of more difficult and borderline candidates. This study analyses the results of 16 borderline BAHA candidates who have been assessed and fitted with a BAHA at Birmingham Children's Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and who have had at least one post-fitting review. All of these subjects had mean bone conduction (BC) thresholds, in the better hearing ear, in excess of 45 dBHL in the frequency range 0.5-4 kHz, when initially assessed. The age range at the time of the study was 10-84 years, with a mean age of 60 years. The study demonstrates the benefits that these patients achieved with the BAHA compared to their previous aid, both audiologically and in terms of comfort and reduction in ear discharge.