Calling all BAHA users...question

[tenai98]

My ENT told me I can start a daily regiment of cleaning the abutment....How often do you clean with the soft brush? I dont use hair spay nor gel, so I dont imagine it will get that dirty...Your input will be appreciated
JO

[Pooter]

I don't have a BAHA (not even on TV), but I think I've seen Jan and Lori say that they don't regularly clean the abutment area, but that their regular hair washing has been fine to keep the area "clean"..  Especially since you don't use hairspray or gell or anything like that, I would assume that regular hair washing would be fine also.

Just my $0.02 worth.. 

Regards,
Brian

[leapyrtwins]

Boy, Pooter, you've been paying attention.  I think it's about time you join the BAHA "club" 

Jo -

my abutment gets cleaned when I shampoo my hair in the shower (daily).  On occasion, probably about once every 2 weeks, I use a soft toothbrush like the one that Cochlear gave me.  You could also use the toothbrush I included in your recovery kit.

I do use hair products - mousse and spray - but shampooing has always worked fine for me and I've never had a problem with "buildup" or infection.

Different people probably have a different take on this, but it's worked well for me. 

Prior to getting my BAHA, my doc told me that I could just clean it with a wash cloth in the shower - so that's an option also.

Jan

[Pooter]

Boy, Pooter, you've been paying attention.  I think it's about time you join the BAHA "club"  

Hahah..  First, I looked for my BAHA in the Christmas card I recently got, but it must have been "lost in the mail".    Second, I do pay attention as much as possible.  Third, I'd *LOVE* to join the BAHA club, but the cost makes it (and TransEar and Ponto) prohibitive at this time.  Did I mention that our new "insurance" stinks?  There's still time for you to send me one for Christmas if you want, though..  Hehe

Regards,
Brian

[leapyrtwins]

Well, Santa just finished her shopping today - right before the big snow storm - and I hate to say it, but she's broke 

If I could gift people with BAHAs, you'd be second on my list Pooter.  No offense, but my "sister" Kaybo would have to be first.  Blood is thicker than water 

I've been ignoring all the health care reform stuff, but perhaps if we're lucky reform will make insurance companies pay for necessities like BAHAs, TransEars, and conventional hearing aids.

We can all wish, can't we 

Now back to the topic @ hand,

Jan

[lawmama]

I read the cleaning thing on some website when I went BAHA info searching yesterday.  My first thought was, "OUCH!" Does it hurt to clean it or mess with it like that?  Or do you just get used to it being there?  Even the confunded staples they used to close my incision irritated me, so I would imagine that post would be annoying.  Is it? 

I'm in the early stages of looking into this.  I'm only 10 days out of surgery, so I don't even know when they would consider it for me, let alone if my insurance covers it.  Looks like an interesting option though.  They had to take my hearing nerve during surgery, so I have no hearing and never will without some kind technology.

Lyn

[tenai98]

Lyn
I waited 5 months before my BAHA surgery, just to make sure the AN surgery was healed...the BAHA surgery is a piece of cake..The BAHA site doesnt hurt at all. I'm three months out and I sleep on that side, I comb/brush my hair as usual. At this point I just use a soft cloth to clean it, then appley antibiotic ointment.  Then on Jan 1st, I get to clean with a soft brush....
JO

[ombrerose4]

I am sceduled for my BAHA surgery 1/4, approximately three and a half months after surgery. I think it really depends on your doctor and your individual recovery. Me, I'm just counting the days. Feel good and have a great holiday!

[leapyrtwins]

I read the cleaning thing on some website when I went BAHA info searching yesterday.  My first thought was, "OUCH!" Does it hurt to clean it or mess with it like that?  Or do you just get used to it being there? 

No, a BAHA abutment in your skull doesn't hurt at all.  Surgery is a piece of cake - I had mine with local anesthestic - recovery is usually swift and painless.  Post op it becomes second nature and you don't even think twice about having it there.

The benefits far exceed any minimal issues.  Once your head is healed, Lyn, if you are serious about a BAHA you should try the demo.  It's what convinced me; it's amazing.  A BAHA implant is one of the best things I've ever done - and probably THE best thing I've done healthwise post AN surgery.

Jan

[jazzfunkanne]

Hi Jan i went for my BAHA assessment on xmas eve, the consultant says because they drilled alot of bone away in the op, they would have to place it further in, then someone said thay means you cant sit back on a chair without it whisling, you cant win.

[leapyrtwins]

Hi jazz -

Lori's abutment is placed back on her head and I don't think she has a lot of issues with feedback.

She's on the road right now I believe, traveling to a relative's wedding; but I'll alert her to your post and when she returns, I'm sure she can tell you her experience.

Jan

[lori67]

I just clean mine when I shampoo also and maybe once every few weeks I use an extra soft toothbrush on it.  That seems to do the trick.

Jan, since I already have a BAHA, can I put something else on my Christmas list if you're feeling generous?  ; )

[jazzfunkanne]

thanks jan. that would be great , x

[lori67]

Oops, sorry..I was a page behind! 

My doctor had to put my abutment further back on my head too in order to find good bone.  Yes, it does whistle when I really lean my head back on the couch, but since I don't normally find myself reclining while out in public, it hasn't been a problem.

I have also found that if I angle the processor a little so the microphones are pointing a little more forward, it doesn't whistle as much and actually seems to pick up sound better for me.

It does sound like the whistling issue could be a problem, but I haven't really found it to be bad at all.  Just another one of those little things you learn to adjust to your own liking and benefit.  I still think the benefits of my BAHA outweigh any minor inconveniences that might come up.

Lori
P.s.  How many hours can one actually spend in a car before actually going insane?  I think I'm getting close!

[jazzfunkanne]

thanks lorix