BAHA???????????

[Richey]

Hey folks, I would like to hear from some of you out there who have the baha hearing system. I would like to know how you like it and how well they work or don't work. I have been give approval by my insurance for the system. The problem that I have is that when I tried out the simulator it was less than convincing that this would give me as much help as I get from my bi-cross hearing aids. My ear specialist said that it will work, that its simple physics. Well physics was never simple to me. Please only those reply that have the baha and can give me first hand knowledge or maybe a spouse of someone who has baha that can testify to its effectiveness.

[1wareagle]

Richey,
     I had my BAHA surgery in Jan. ,07 and got the device attached in April. The BAHA has been a great help in one on one situations. The only problem I have found is in noisy surroundings, like in a restaurant. I turn my device off and have learned to sit so I can hear my families conversation at the table. With the BAHA on there is too much back ground noise. But that is the only time I seem to have a problem. Today my battery was getting low and the device would come on and off. It was incredible the difference I would hear when it come back on. If I can answer any specific questions just e-mail me.

Good Luck
Ellis

[Ellenmn]

I don't have the BAHA yet but I am seriously considering it. I did talk to a guy that works at our local grocery store who has been deaf in the right ear since birth ( birth defect). He got his about a year ago and loves it. The first part is put in then three months later he got the box so the it actually works. He didn't say anything about back round noise and he works in a very noisy place. Next time I see him I'll have to ask about that.

[leapyrtwins]

Ellen -

just wanted to mention, in case you aren't aware of it, that the IL - West Chicago ANA local support group has a meeting on Wednesday 8/15 from 7 to 9 at the Downer's Grove Library.  From what I understand, part of the agenda includes Dr. Battista discussing the BAHA.  From what I've heard, he's the doctor who has performed the most BAHA procedures in our area.  I, too, am seriously considering this surgery and from what I hear (no pun intended) this meeting will be very informative.  Although Dr. Battista and I have already had some discussion about the BAHA, I'm really looking forward to the meeting; there are supposed to be some BAHA patients in attendance and I'm hoping to get some feedback from them.

Jan

[Jeanlea]

It would be interesting to see what Dr. Battista knows about a comparison between BAHAs and TransEars.  Which one gives better sound input.  I would have thought a study would have been done, but I haven't found anything.

Jean

[leapyrtwins]

Jean -

great question.  If I remember, I'll ask Dr. Battista on Wednesday night.  Before I started posting on this forum, I had never even heard of the TransEar.  He and I only discussed the cros-aide and the BAHA.  At the time of our discussion, it was too soon postop for him to show me how the BAHA would work; my head hadn't healed enough.  But I'm anxious to do what I can to get some of my hearing back.

Jan
 

[Ellenmn]

Jan

I was hoping to go tot the meeting but I'm not sure.
My husband has been driving me in heavy traffic situations and he has a meeting in Wisconsin on Wednesday night. I drove to work this morning for the first time and did all right so I have to decided if I can drive an hour in traffic that late. Mainly becuase my right eye gets tired and I still have balance  issues at night. I thought of taking the train but the night schedule isn't good.
 
Ellen

[leapyrtwins]

Well, I attended the local ANA Mtg of the West Chicago group tonight and Dr. Wiet gave a very informative talk about ANs and their treatment, but Dr. Battista wasn't in attendance.  While Dr. Wiet's talk was very interesting and informative, I was a little disappointed that there was no BAHA discussion as I had a lot of questions to ask.  However, during the discussion/question period, one of the attendees (Kathy) happened to mention that she had a BAHA, so before the meeting was over I asked her if she'd mind showing it to me and giving me some feedback on it.  She very graciously agreed.  (Kathy, if you happen to read my post, thank you once again for talking to me.)

Kathy had AN surgery about 6 years ago and has had a BAHA (implanted by Dr. Battista) for a couple of years now.  She really likes it and is glad she had the surgery.  I felt a little rude asking to see the screw in her the head and the device, but she had no problem showing them to me.  I was very surprised by the size of the device (about half the size I thought it would be).  If Kathy hadn't mentioned having a BAHA, I would have never known she had one (like me, she wears her hair relatively short, but the device was totally covered).   She said that the device is actually the second one she's had - it's digital now, but originally she had an analog device.  From what she told me (and I've heard this from others), the digital device is the way to go.  Kathy said the surgery wasn't bad at all - nothing like the surgery to remove an AN - quick and done on an outpatient basis.  All in all, she's happy with the results the BAHA provides and she's glad she has one. 

My talk with Kathy has reinforced my belief that the BAHA is something I want and I am going ahead with my plans for one early next year.  As I told her, I've heard a lot about the BAHA from other AN patients and from Dr. Battista, but actually meeting someone who uses one, who I could talk to face to face, was a wonderful thing.   

In the meantime, now that my head is healed, I'm going to schedule an appt. with Dr. Battista so he can show me how the BAHA works (headband demonstration) and answer my few remaining questions.  I'll try to remember to include some of the questions asked by others in this posting and report back on the answers.

Jan

 

 

[Joef]

There is a BAHA forum  ! check out http://www.baha-users-support.com/cgi-bin/2bb/2bb.cgi

I'm also a BAHA user.. ask me anything...

[leapyrtwins]

Joef - 

thanks for the valuable information; I had no idea there was a BAHA forum. That's one of the great things about the ANA Forum - you learn something new every day!

I've asked other BAHA-users questions, but I'm sure I'll have even more before my surgery.  I'll definitely add you to my list of resources.

Jan

[Richey]

Hey Joe, I looked at the BAHA discussion board and registered but every time I try to log it says my user name does not exist. This seems odd since they welcomed me as a new member under the same user name. Oh well me a computers are like oil and water.

[Joef]

you'lll have to work that out with them ... 

I've thought about starting my own BAHA forum .. I even discussed it with them ..(they are an ENGLAND based forum group), I might some day (if they ever stop , I will pick it up) ... but for now they only have a couple hunderd users.. its not worth the trouble .. and dont wish to split up the users there...

[leapyrtwins]

There is a BAHA forum  ! check out http://www.baha-users-support.com/cgi-bin/2bb/2bb.cgi

I'm also a BAHA user.. ask me anything...

Joef -

I'm going for my BAHA demo tomorrow - can't wait!  I just got around to checking out the link you gave me for the BAHA users group and I can't thank you enough for recommending it.  Lots of interesting topics and good answers to questions I have.  This is a great resource! 

Jan