Zero percent speech discrimination

[lholl36233]

Does this mean the hearing nerve is gone and the BAHA won't help you because there is no hearing nerve for it to stimulate?

This is what I was told today.

[Sam Rush]

Do you mean zero pct on your good side??  If that's the case then you would need a cochlear implant.   If your bad side is zero, and you have a good side, then the BAHA would work for you. The BAHA transmits sound waves thru the skull from bad side to good side.

[lholl36233]

Zero percent on my bad side.  My good side is 100%.  Do I need a new ENT if he thinks the BAHA won't work for me?

Thank you.

[epodjn]

I'm confused. Isn'lt a cochlear implant a BAHA? Is there a difference? Please explain. I'm so new to all this.

[Jim Scott]

Laura ~

If your hearing nerve is destroyed, regular hearing aids won't help because they basically amplify sound.  However, the BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) works by receiving sound that is picked up by your skull and transmits it to your operative ear.  It is only used by those who are completely deaf in one ear.  You should be a candidate for this device but your doctor, ENT or Audiologist can best answer that question. 

Jim

[lholl36233]

My ENT told me the BAHA wouldn't work because I have no hearing nerve for it to amplify.  That is not how understood by reading the posts of those who have gone through it.

[jazzfunkanne]

the baha will work for you if you have 100% in the good ear, it will pick up sounds and transfer then too the baha on the bad side.

[Jim Scott]

I'm confused. Isn'lt a cochlear implant a BAHA? Is there a difference? Please explain. I'm so new to all this.

No, a 'BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) is not a cochlear implant.  A cochlear implant replaces damaged inner ear mechanisms.  When your hearing nerve is damaged (in one ear) as with acoustic neuroma growths, the ear works just fine but the nerve that sends the signal (sound) from the ear to the brain, where it is processed, is basically inoperative. The BAHA picks up sound that hits your skull (bone), then an external processor transmits that sound to your 'good' (hearing) ear, whose nerve is undamaged.   Like any hearing device, it can't perfectly duplicate 'normal' hearing but it is an improvement and a boon to those with SSD who struggle with their hearing loss. 

Jim

[lholl36233]

Thank you jazzfunkanne.  Why I am upset right now is not because of being told of zero percent speech recognization or the prospect of surgery.  I am upset having been told by an ENT who has written books on the inner ear the BAHA won't help me when my right ear is 100%.  Would you agree?

[epodjn]

Thanks Jim, that makes sense. I've been so frustrated with my hearing lately. I'm really considering BAHA.

[mikjul1]

I understand completely with your fustration alot of ENTs just do not care about SSD people they figure well you got one good ear let them be in our shoes.if you want I will get you a clinc around you that does BAHA just give me the state you live in and I will find it on COCHlear Corps website for you if you would like or goto http://www.cochlearamericas.com/Support/find_clinic_search.asp to find one. Plus read this it will help you  http://products.cochlearamericas.com/baha/introduction-to-baha/who-can-use-baha                                Good Luck. Mike Corso

[lholl36233]

Thanks Mike.  I'll look at the link.  I'm in Massachusetts.  I asked if radiation was an option for this tumor and the doctor told me that was a question for the neurosurgeon.  Really?

[ppearl214]

Thanks Mike.  I'll look at the link.  I'm in Massachusetts.  I asked if radiation was an option for this tumor and the doctor told me that was a question for the neurosurgeon.  Really?

where in MA are you? I just looked at your posting history and its not an AN but a bone pressing against the inner canal? I'm a little lost how radiation could potentially help that? Are you talking to anyone at MEEI/MGH?

Phyl

[lholl36233]

 I'm next to Worcester in Millbury.  I go to UMASS at Lake Ave.  The link said UMASS on Belmont St. is a BAHA clinic so I might have to go there.

Thank you.

[ppearl214]

Millbury.. got it.. hope you just weathered the storms ok last hour.. I saw they were nasty out there.

UMASS Med is a great place.... I thought MEEI also does BAHA as I've attended conferences there on hearing devices with a friend of mine (he's in the process of trying to invent a new cochlear hearing device)... and I've met someone local that have BAHA that I thought had it done at MEEI but I may be wrong on that one.......

But, it's not an AN but a bony piece, correct? I'm still a little confused why possible research for radiation if it's not a tumor... or, am I wrong on that? Did I misread? If I did, pls accept apologies. I'm just trying to keep it all straight, nothing more

Phyl