Consideration for a BAHA...

[mellowrama]

I'm already thinking how much the BAHA his could help me (3 weeks post SSD).  My partner owns a tavern and live music and loud restaurant is part of my lifestyle...time to sell or get a baha!   

Question:  Is there something on both sides of the head?  Processor on one side and abutment on the other?

Does it look like your wearing hearing aid too?

I read somewhere about testing one, maybe at the Ana symposium?  Anyone know where/when the next one is?

I'm in New Mexico, should I travel back to LA /House for one or is there a place say nearer like in Texas?

thanks! m

[leapyrtwins]

You'll have to wait until your head heals (generally a couple of months) before you can try the BAHA demo - but IMO it's definitely worth the wait.  The next symposium isn't until 2011 (in Ohio) but you can try the demo at the office of any doctor who does BAHAs. 

You shouldn't have to travel back to HEI for one; check out the Cochlear Americas website and look under "Find a Clinic".  It will list all the medical facilities in your area that do the BAHA implant surgery.

The BAHA system resides totally on one side of your head (the side that is SSD).  The abutment is actually attached to a titanium rod that is drilled into your skull and then the processor "snaps" onto it.  The processor when in place is generally not noticeable to anyone - it's under your hair.  There is nothing worn in the ear. 

Here are some links you might find helpful.

http://www.umm.edu/otolaryngology/baha.htm

http://www.cochlearamericas.com

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=6634.0

Jan

[mellowrama]

great!  thanks jan

[Sefra22]

I work in a loud environment, as well. (Music store) I just got my BAHA and find that right now it's not helping at work. (Still needs some programming, but that's another thread...)

Anyway, my advice would be to ask that when you test it, have some music in the background. I tested mine in the audiologist's office with just her voice. Yeah, it worked great in THAT environment.

I will know more in a few weeks, and will let you know if it gets better when the device is programmed for me. I am remaining hopeful that it will.......


Lisa

[leapyrtwins]

The majority of hearing aids (including the BAHA processors) don't work well in noisy and/or crowded environments.  Just not the nature of the "beasts".

The new Cochlear BP100 - and soon the Oticon Ponto - are supposed to help with these issues.

However, nothing (and I repeat nothing) currently on the market is like your normal hearing was.  Perhaps some time in the future; but not in today's world.

Regardless, the BAHA - and from I'm told, the TransEar and other hearing aids - is a huge improvement from being SSD.

Jan