Becky -
I had my surgery on 3/4/08 - my doc recommends waiting 90 days for the processor, so I'm scheduled to get mine on June 4th.
The surgery itself was easy - nothing like my retrosigmoid surgery. It was an outpatient procedure and I had local anesthesia. I didn't feel a thing and felt great afterwards. I did get a lovely hat - similar to yours
![Wink ;)](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/wink.gif)
- that I had to wear for 24 hours. Underneath the hat was a pink spongy bandage held in place by a small round plastic cap, that I had to wear for a week until the doc removed it. My hair covered the bandage & cap and I was able to shampoo my hair by holding a plastic cup over the BAHA site so it didn't get wet. When the bandage & cap were removed, I could shampoo normally. At that point, I also had to put neosporin or bacitracin on the titanium fixture 2x per day.
I found the worst part of the BAHA surgery was the intense itching I had post op while I was recovering. My doc said it was entirely normal and part of the healing process.
You are correct, a BAHA is similar to a Cochlear. Cochlears are for those who are bilaterally deaf (deaf in both ears); BAHAs are for those who are unilaterally deaf (SSD).
Although most insurance companies don't cover hearing aids, a BAHA is an implant, so they usually are covered. If your insurance turns you down on your first request, they usually honor your second. I believe the ANA will give you some tips on how to "protest" if your insurance company denies coverage.
I can't recall the cost of the surgery off the bat - both my doc and the hospital are in my network, so I only paid a $400 deductible. From what my doc and the audiologist tell me, my processor is supposed to cost roughly $2,500. My insurance company said they'd cover it, but I'm thinking I might have to pay an out-of-network deductible or some percent of the cost.
I'll let Lori explain the Dawn detergent and the toothbrush to you
![Grin ;D](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/grin.gif)
Linda (Catflower) and David (dpetty) also had BAHA surgery recently.
Jan