New BAHA?

[ennayram]

Hi  Everyone,

I know I am probably the last to know but I  just heard that BAHA was bought out by Cohlear Co. In conjunction with this, BAHA expects to be coming out with a newer version in which no screws are necessary but rather a magnet is implanted under the scalp. Has anyone heard anything about this?

Also, for those people who are using or considering the TransEar, has anyone heard whether wearers are prone to ear infections because of the tight fitting of the plug in the ear? 

I was ready to go for the TransEar, but now I'm thinking of the BAHA if this newer version comes out soon or at all.

Thanks!

MaryAnne

[leapyrtwins]

MaryAnne -

I have not heard about this.  Wonder if it's true 

I saw my doc yesterday for a post op BAHA check and he didn't mention it.  If he had known, he'd have probably said something to me.

Jan

[Tamara]

Where did you hear this?  Is there a source that we can check out?  Please let me know, as I plan to get a BAHA in the near future.

Tamara

[leapyrtwins]

You know I've been thinking more about this.  Wouldn't a magnet implanted under your scalp cause problems because there are lot of things that would stick to a magnet.  Wouldn't this be a little dangerous 

I'm getting all kinds of interesting pictures in my head 

Jan

[Tamara]

I just came back from my otologist appt and asked him about this.  He said that there was a hearing aid of some sort in the '80's that was based on this, but it didn't work very well.  The reason is that BONE conduction is what makes the BAHA work.  If it's not actually attached to the bone, it's not so good.

I also went online to the Cochlear Company America's website and phoned their patient service specialist.  I have not heard back from her yet, but will let you know when I do.

Tamara

[Boppie]

No ear infections with my TransEar. 

Also, the unit is put in a drier unit every night and there is little chance of bacteria surviving the heat and light that it gets in this unit.  So you are putting a clean dry unit in your ear canal each morning.  The chances of an ear infection in the deaf ear are no greater from wearing the unit.

[Tamara]

The Cochlear Company patient rep did call me back, and she said that she has no knowledge of a newer version coming out.  She said that she'll do some more checking and will call me back if she finds anything different.

Tamara

[leapyrtwins]

Thanks for the update, Tamara 

Jan