Dr. McKenna in Boston

[lholl36233]

Hi,

My next MRI is 8/11 and the followup is 8/19.  If surgery is recommended, I think I need to go see Dr. McKenna.  Boston is not that far for me to travel for experience.  Any information on Dr. McKenna would be greatly appreciated.

[NancyMc]

He's the best!
He has followed my acoustic neuroma since September 2001 and removed it in April of this year.
Good luck!
Nancy

[Jim Scott]

Hi,

My next MRI is 8/11 and the followup is 8/19.  If surgery is recommended, I think I need to go see Dr. McKenna.  Boston is not that far for me to travel for experience.  Any information on Dr. McKenna would be greatly appreciated.

Your wish is our command.    http://www.facialnervecenter.org/team_physicians.html  I hope this helps.

Jim

[lholl36233]

Thanks Jim.

Has Dr. McKenna done anyone's BAHA implant?  I need a doctor who understands this isn't a conventional hearing aid.

[NancyMc]

Someone else in his department does them.  He's not real big on BAHAs but did give me the brochure at my request pre-op.
My three-month follow-up appointment was canceled, and I was planning to approach the subject with him then.  It will have to wait until September when things slow down again.
Scarlett had Dr. Lee at MEEI instead of McKenna.  He might be more amenable to the BAHA.

[ppearl214]

Dr. Quinton Gopen did a talk at the ANA Boston support group meeting last year specifically on hearing devices and BAHA. He also does cochlear implants as well. He is affiliated with MEEI as well as the Brigham.  You can find him here:

http://www.harvardotolaryngology.org/faculty.html

Here is his MA License info, showing his education, awards, hospital affiliations, etc:

http://profiles.massmedboard.org/MA-Physician-Profile-View-Doctor.asp?ID=83562


He may be the man to speak.

Phyl

[lholl36233]

Why doesn't Dr. McKenna like the BAHA?  Anything to help us here on the bad side sounds like a godsend to me.

[SML]

I thought Dr. Lee at MEEI was fabulous. I’ve never discussed BAHA’s with him, so I’ don’t know how he feels about them, but I’m sure if he doesn’t do them he could refer you to someone who does. To me, it’s just as important to find out why some doctors don’t like them as well as why some doctors do. The more informed you are the better. That goes for anything. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Scarlett

[NancyMc]

I'm not sure why McKenna doesn't like the BAHA.  My sense was that he thought they are gimmicky, over-marketed, and wouldn't benefit the patient enough to make it worth the expense.  I'll find out when I see him next time.

[lholl36233]

From what I've read on this board from people with BAHAs, while not as good as perfect hearing, the BAHA helps greatly.  I can't have a doctor do my surgery who thinks BAHA is a conventional hearing aid.  I'm going to call my primary care doctor to try to get a referral to Dr. McKenna.  Wish me luck.

[krbonner]

Sorry I'm so late to reply.  I've been seeing McKenna since June 2005 and he did my surgery in Sep 2006.  I'm going back to see him for a 3 year follow up in a few weeks.  I have nothing but positive things to say about him, his skill and experience, and his office.

Katie

[lholl36233]

Thanks Katie.  Ignore my other post.  I read that one before this one.   

[MLB57]

Hi Laura,

You mentioned UMass so I presume you mean UMass Med Ctr in Worcester MA? Just wondering because in Jan of 2001 I had a 1 cm rt AN removed there when they a Skull Base team of surgeons--surgeons both left and I had follow-up w/a Dr Lee--handsome young, personable doctor who eventually referred me to MGH and Dr Barker as my AN had not been totally removed (contrary to what the suregons reported) and was growing more... I met w/Barker and eventually Dr Loeffler and I had LINAC radiation over several weeks in Fall of 2007.   Dr Lee was a proponent of the BAHA --he said it was (my words)  offerred wherd he previously came from didn't know why it hadn't been offerred at UMassMed at the time...but I decided not to bother at that time as I could have it anytime as no change was possible in my hearing anyway... So I wouldn't be surprised if that is the same Dr Lee--he probably left UMass Med Ctr and went to Boston.

MGH has a great team of surgeons and radaition specialists so I'm sure you will be in great hands whatever treatment you choose!!!

Best always,

Mary (aka GrammyMary).... (one of Phyl's Maxwell Silverman's Brunch bunch!!)...

[lholl36233]

Hi Mary,

Glad to hear from you.  I'm not sure how many of my posts you have read to get my full story.  It is the same Dr. Lee.  I saw him at UMASS in Worcester in May 2008.  By June, he was at Mass Eye and Ear.  He told me I had an AN after my first MRI but it turned out to be a hemangioma.  I was on watch and wait until last month when my word recognition went down to zero in my left ear.  The right ear is 110%.  That prompted my new doctor to suggest surgery.  I asked this doctor about the BAHA who explained it to me like it was a traditional hearing aid which I understand won't help me.I wanted a second opinion so I referred myself to Dr. McKenna who told me surgery to remove the tumor would likely result in facial nerve damamge.  Dr. McKenna referred me to Dr. Loeffler who I will see 10/7 about proton beam therapy.  After that, Dr. McKenna agreed I could get the BAHA.   I feel like there is no better place for me than MGH/MEEI.

How did the radiation turn out for you?

PM me anytime.

Laura

[lholl36233]

Sorry Mary.  I missed your signature that showed your good outcome with radiation.  I hope I have the same luck.