A Bone Conduction Hearing Aid (BCHA) or Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) is a hearing device that can be used to improve hearing for those who can’t wear or don’t benefit from a traditional hearing aid.
A question people often ask is, ‘Do you need surgery for a bone conduction hearing aid?’ So that’s what we’re answering in today’s blog. We’ll also explain how BCHA’s work, and what options are available to you.
How Does a Bone Conduction Hearing Aid Work?
Unlike traditional hearing aids that transmit sound through the ear canal, bone conduction hearing aids transmit sound through the bones of the skull.
The microphone picks up sounds from the environment, and the processor transmits them as vibrations through the large skull bones to the cochlea in the inner ear. From here, the sounds are conducted to the auditory nerve where they can be converted into something the wearer understands, for example, speech.
Since a BCHA/BAGA sends signals directly to the inner ear, it doesn’t involve the external ear or ear canal in any way. This makes it an ideal solution for people who can’t use or benefit from traditional hearing aids. This might be for a variety of reasons, including:
- Microtia
- Goldenhar Syndrome
- Treacher Collins Syndrome
- Narrowing of the ear canal/s
- Skin conditions
- Missing/damaged outer ear due to trauma
- Recurrent ear infections
- Single-Sided Deafness (SSD)
What is a BAHA Implant?
When talking about bone conduction hearing aids or bone anchored hearing aids, people are often referring to surgically-fitted implants.
There are two types of BAHA implant available. An abutment BAHA is where the implant comes through the skin of the scalp and is directly attached to the sound processor. A BAHA attract is a magnetic device that sits entirely under the skin, connecting to the sound processor via a magnet.
For either of these options, a surgical procedure will be required to fit the implant to the wearer’s mastoid bone (the large bone behind the ear). This is done under a General Anaesthetic (GA) either as a day-case surgery or with an overnight stay following the operation. Sometimes, children need to have the surgery in two stages, with an implant fitted first, and then several months later, an abutment or magnet inserted.
Alternatives to a Bone Conduction Implant
An implant isn’t the only way to wear a bone conduction hearing aid, however. A BCHA or BAHA can also be worn externally on a headband. This removes the need for surgery, while still offering improved hearing for those who can benefit from a bone conduction hearing device.
The same processor is worn, only instead of being attached to an abutment or magnet that is anchored internally in the wearer’s skull, it is attached to a headband or soft band, or even a hat.
When the processor is positioned over the large skull bones, it works the same way that a surgically-implanted BAHA would, transmitting the vibrations through the bone and to the cochlea to be converted to sound.
Which Is the Best Option: Surgical or Non-Surgical?
Whether you decide to have an implant or wear a bone conduction hearing aid externally is a personal decision that entirely depends on your individual circumstances, the type of hearing loss you have, and the recommendations of your audiology team.
Most people will have a short trial where they try out wearing a BAHA on a headband first. This is to ensure that it works for them and that they’ll be happy with the outcome if they decide to undergo surgery.
For babies and young children who aren’t yet old enough to have surgery, it can also offer improved hearing while they wait, allowing for early access to language and sound.
For some, surgery may not be a viable option due to other medical conditions or health concerns or they might simply not want to have the procedure, in which case, a BAHA headband provides an alternative. A non-surgical BAHA can also be used short-term, if it’s expected that a person’s hearing might improve over time.
If you’re unsure which is the best option for you or have any concerns about having BAHA surgery, we’d always recommend talking to your hearing specialist so they can answer any questions you might have and talk you through your options.
Get In Touch
If you’ve been wondering if you need surgery for a bone conduction hearing aid, we hope this blog has helped! For answers to other frequently asked questions and to learn more about bone anchored hearing aids, check out our blog.
Alternatively, if you want to know more about our BAHA headbands and accessories, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll do our best to help. We’re more than happy to talk you through our various products and designs to make sure that they’re the right choice for you.
You can get in touch by calling 07432 620644 or emailing sales@bahaaccessoriesuk.com. We look forward to hearing from you!