I have to ask a silly question

[wcrimi]

What is BAHA surgery?

[RichardMS]

CWood:
     Not a silly question, BAHA is just the abbreviation for "Bone Anchored Hearing Aid". It's basically a microphone that is attached to a permanently implanted post in the skull.  The microphone transfers the sound through the bone of your skull to whichever ear is undamaged.  Here are some good links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_Anchored_Hearing_Aid

http://www.cochlearamericas.com/Products/2013.asp

Hope this will help.
 

[lori67]

Not a silly question at all!  Before long, you will realize we speak a language all our own around here!!   

Lori

[wcrimi]

THanks.

Something like that is way off for me. I'm still going for consultations.

[leapyrtwins]

Not a silly question, at all.  Thanks for asking 

The links Richard referred you to are good ones, but we have our own "set of links" here on the forum - I'm the proud author of many of them, as are Lori, Sam Rush, Bucko, Ellis, joef, Catflower, etc., etc., etc.


The "microphone" that Richard talks about is basically a tiny hearing aid that attaches to a titanium post implanted in the skull.  Here's a link to photos of my processor & BAHA site   http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=6634.msg65388#msg65388

Jan

[cindyj]

Did any of you BAHA users get yours "installed" at the same time you had your AN removed?  I'm still trying to decide about that...Know you don't get the processor at the same time, but could go ahead and get the screw/plug/hole (sorry, don't remember the proper term) while already under anesthesia, right?

thx,

cindy

[JerseyGirl2]

Cindy,
Yes, I had my BAHA implant (the titanium screw) done at the same time as my AN surgery. It added about 30-45 minutes to the operation, and having it all done at once seemed like a good idea to me! I believe that in some instances this makes the insurance hurdle a bit easier to cross since they don't have to figure in another separate procedure. My main motivation was that I live all the way across the country from my surgeons, wanted them to be the ones to do everything involved with my AN, and didn't want to make another trip out West "just" for the BAHA! You'll see that many other forum posters have the implant done later, under local anesthesia, and report that it's an easy procedure (i.e., no particular pain and a very quick recovery). Whatever you decide, I certainly endorse getting a BAHA -- it's a big help. Best wishes as you make your decision.

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)

[leapyrtwins]

Cindy -

combining the AN surgery and the BAHA surgery generally depends on your doctor.  Some like to combine the procedures; some don't.

Mine doesn't, but it wasn't a big deal for me.  The BAHA surgery is nothing like the AN surgery - it's outpatient and generally lasts under 90 minutes from start to finish. 

You usually have the choice of general or local anesthesia with the BAHA surgery.  I chose local - as do 90% of my docs' BAHA patients.

Jan

[cindyj]

Thanks Catherine and Jan - I'm going to have to think about this...I can see the benefit of doing it at the same time as the AN removal, but I'm also thinking I should at least see how well I cope, or don't, w/ being SSD...hmmm

cindy

[JerseyGirl2]

Cindy,

For additional input as you consider your BAHA options, you might check with your assigned surgical consultant at House (I noticed in your signature that that's where you're having your translab procedure). He/she could perhaps provide some useful information or at least put you in touch with one of their audiologists. You can arrange for an audiology appointment to be included in your day of pre-operative meetings with the doctors, and you will be able to have the BAHA demonstration then.

I realize this isn't addressing your issue of how you'll cope with SSD! And, like just about everything else related to ANs, there are no set rules. How is your hearing now? If you're still experiencing very good hearing, you'll have sudden onset SSD following your surgery. If your hearing had been gradually diminishing over time prior to your AN diagnosis, or has totally gone, your brain will have had time to adjust to this "new way" of hearing. Many AN patients who've grown quite accustomed to their SSD for a good while prior to surgery are sometimes less inclined to get a BAHA or Trans-ear device because they feel as though they can continue to cope comfortably with the situation. As is the case with treatment decisions, you'll know when you've reached the BAHA decision that's right for you. Best wishes as you continue to think about it.

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)

[JerseyGirl2]

Hi, Cheri

I believe you mentioned in a previous post that you're having the middle fossa surgical approach. The translab approach (what Cindy's having), as opposed to middle fossa, results by definition in SSD. Hopefully your hearing will be preserved and you won't need a BAHA!!!!


Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)