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
- 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
Linda (Catflower) and David (dpetty) also had BAHA surgery recently.
Jan
