Still a candidate for BAHA?

[jlamborn]

I had translab on my right ear in Dec 2006 and have been using a Phonak Bi-cros system since then.  It's pretty good, but there is quite a bit of interference during the day (going through those security bars at the entrance of stores, some types of flourescent lighting, etc).  What really bugs me is the noises coming out of computers, which wouldn't be such a big deal except that my job is IT support and I'm around them 24/7; it's like a little asteroids game going off most of the time in my head.  I have been considering BAHA and have an appointment scheduled for next Friday for a BAHA evaluation.  Sorry for the long introduction, but my question is:  am I still a candidate for BAHA if the hearing in my remaining ear has problems, too? 

During the year that I lost the hearing in my AN ear while it was being diagnosed, I really started noticing that the hearing in my  left ear was pretty diminished.  Amazing that I really didn't notice this until the right-side hearing started to go.  That stemmed back from a car accident a few years earlier where I took a pretty hard left-side impact that cracked that side of my head just above my ear against the convertible top frame in my Miata.  I ended up with 21 staples to close the gash.  Apparently it caused an injury inside to the interior chain of bones translate sound to our inner ear.  Since they didn't know about the AN yet and had a pretty good idea that the left side needed bone reconstruction, they did that surgery first (found a fused stapes and replaced it with a titanium piston).  That seemed to get some bone conduction back and regained about half my hearing and then added the hearing aid.  With that ear under control, they finally did the MRI with contrast and discovered the AN and I had the translab a couple months later.

Does everyone here that has the BAHA have normal hearing in their remaining ear?  I just wondered if there were others out there with diminished hearing and it still managed to work.  I guess it's really going to depend on if I have enough bone conduction left over there, huh?  My appointment morning starts with an audio test, then a couple of hours with the BAHA people, then the appointment with my AN surgeon who would also do the BAHA.

Grateful for any input,
Jean
 

[leapyrtwins]

Jean -

although I have a BAHA, I'm certainly not an expert on them.  However, IMO you are still a candidate despite the less than perfect hearing in your "good" ear.  I obviously could be wrong, but I think your doctor will just recommend the Intenso as opposed to the Divino.  The Intenso is a more powerful hearing aid.

Before I had my BAHA surgery I asked my neurotologist what I could expect as a BAHA patient once I get older and start to have less than perfect hearing in my "good" ear.  He said I could swap my Divino for an Intenso or I could keep the Divino and get a conventional hearing aid in my "good" ear.

Please let us know what your doctor says next week.  I'm curious to see what he tells you.

Thanks - and good luck 

Jan

 

[JerseyGirl2]

I have a BAHA Intenso since the hearing in my good ear isn't quite perfect (age and genetics!). I've been using it since June of this year and am happy with it. My AN apparently grew slowly over a number of years and my hearing loss was extremely gradual. As a result, my brain had adjusted quite well to my SSD prior to my getting the BAHA (I was the recording secretary for two groups to which I belong and had no problems taking minutes at the meetings), so it's still getting used to this "new way of hearing." I had the BAHA implanted at the same time as my AN surgery (translab). It doesn't take long to get used to snapping it on and off (though it does seem a little bit creepy at first), and I find myself touching it every so often just to make sure it's still there -- it's quite lightweight and very unobstrusive. It's bigger than the Divino model, but I wear my hair fairly short and have no problem concealing it. Best wishes as you make your decision!

JerseyGirl2

[jlamborn]

Well, I had my consultation and all is looking good.  Come to find out, it doesn't matter what your inner ear is hearing, since it vibrates the skull on my right side and translates through the skull to my left side.  What really floored me was plugging my left hearing ear and still being able to hear him talk.  As others have said, it's not quite hearing that you are used to, it just sounds kind of like "down the hall", but still clear enough to hear.  We're going through the pre-certification with my insurance, and if all goes well, I'll have the surgery date for the implanting of the screw.  From what they told me earlier, it looks like Aetna might cover the whole thing, even the processor.  Something about under certain conditions, where there's been disease or a tumor that claimed the hearing and in my case, the inner ear due to translab, that they consider it medically - kind of like a prosthetic device- necessary and don't consider it a hearing aid (had to pay everything for my Phonak and bi-cross when I got them).  Keep your fingers crossed!  I should know within a week.

[lori67]

My fingers are crossed! 

That is great news!  I hope your insurance picks up the whole tab - that would be even greater news!

I've had my BAHA since January and I love it.  Like you said, it's not like the hearing you're used to, but it certainly beats not hearing anything at all!

Keep us posted!
Lori

[leapyrtwins]

What really floored me was plugging my left hearing ear and still being able to hear him talk. 

Jean -

I felt exactly the same way - although in my case I had to plug my right hearing ear.  I thought this was just so cool  and it made me 100% sure I wanted the BAHA.

I'm glad you are still a candidate and are looking forward to the surgery.  Like, Lori, I love my BAHA.

I hope your insurance company pays for the entire thing - surgery & processor - mine agreed to and it was definitely a plus for me.

Jan

[jlamborn]

Just had my 1 month checkup on the implant surgery and everything is great; he said it's a textbook healing and have an appointment in 2 months to finally get the processor.  I can't wait!  Having a few problems with my insurance, but just had to re-submit and they seem to be doing what they said they would; so far I'm only out the $200 co-payment at the hospital.  My only problem now will be what to do with my Phonak Bi-Cros system after I get the Baha processor.  I spent $1,500 on it and was wondering if anyone here would want to buy it for a fraction of what it cost me; it seems silly to have it sit in a drawer unused; it's only 2 years old.   Just putting this out there to see if anyone is interested in it and just couldn't pay the $1,500 original cost. 

Jean

[leapyrtwins]

Jean -

glad to hear your BAHA recovery is on track.  My site healed very easily too.

I'm sure you're anxiously awaiting the day you can attach your processor.  Please put it on the AN Calendar so we can remember to congratulate you and get your feedback.  From my recollection, it was a very enlightening day - I heard many sounds I'd been missing after my AN surgery 

As for the Bi-Cros, it might be possible to donate it to a charitable cause and get a tax deduction - your doc might know of a place; just a thought.

Jan

[wendysig]

Jean,
Congratulations on your BAHA surgery!  I'm glad to hear all is going well.  I'm scheduled for BAHA surgery in January and can hardly wait.  My insurance picture isnt't completely clear yet but I am hopeful that they will cover everything without a problem.  I couldn't help noticing that your insurance company is Aetna, as is mine.  Do you have the HMO, PPO or some other coverage?  Just curious since I'm on pins and needles right now.  I've already decided I'm having the surgery no matter what, but it would be nice to know if I'll have a problem with insurance coverage.  This is something I haven't been able to get a clear answer from Aetna about.  My doc is having Cochlear intervene on my behalf in an attempt to ensure coverage.

Wendy

[jlamborn]

I have Aetna's HMO; after I had my translab surgery in Dec 2006, I had to buy my own hearing aids because they don't cover them.  The BAHA, though, is considered something of a prosthetic device since it replaces the inner ear removed during my tumor surgery.  Here is part of what I found on their website (I googled Aetna baha):

Bone-anchored Hearing Aid
Number: 0403
Policy


Aetna considers bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) or temporal bone stimulators medically necessary prosthetics for persons with a unilateral or bilateral conductive or mixed conductive and sensorineural hearing loss who have any of the following conditions, where the condition prevents restoration of hearing using a conventional air-conductive hearing aid and who meet the audiologic criteria below:

Congenital or surgically induced malformations of the external ear canal or middle ear (such as aural atresia); or
Tumors of the external ear canal and/or tympanic cavity; or
Severe chronic external otitis or otitis media; or
Hearing loss secondary to otosclerosis in persons who cannot undergo stapedectomy; or
Dermatitis of the external ear, including hypersensitivity reactions to ear moulds used in air conduction hearing aids; or
Other conditions in which an air-conduction hearing aid is contraindicated.

All went well during the precertification process and they said no out of pocket and just the $200 deductible at the hospital.  They settled the hospital part immediately, initially didn't approve the $3,000 from the surgeon (not sure if this was the processor yet or just the surgeon's fee), but I had my surgeon's office contact them again and it went through the second time.
 

[Jim Scott]

Jean:

Thanks for the positive update.  I'm pleased to learn that you're well on your way to receiving your BAHA processor.  I appreciated your posting the Aetna insurance policy definitions - and coverage - for Bne Anchored Hearing Aids.  This is why I always recommend the AN patient (or anyone using their health insurance coverage) take the time to dig out their policy, wade through the legalese and try to learn what is actually covered before making any assumptions or taking the word of a (possibly) misinformed telephone representative working for the insurance company.

You've handled this well and I'm sure your out-of-pocket expenses won't be much at all.  I hope you thoroughly enjoy your expanded hearing when you receive your BAHA.  You've earned it. 

Jim

[wendysig]

Hi Jean,
Thanks for the information on coverage by Aetna.  I sent it to my neurotologist who checked it out and am thrilled to say Aetna will cover all my costs for surgery and the processor.  YAY!!!   It seems that I will also have a co-pay and an not really clear on what that will be but he says it will be minimal. 

Thanks again,
Wendy

[leapyrtwins]

Wendy -

excellent news!   

Jan

[sgerrard]

Great news, Wendy. And thanks to Jean for posting the info.

I love it when stuff like this happens on the forum.

Steve

[wendysig]

Hi Jan and Steve -
and thanks!  I was happy before, but now I couldn't be happier!  I'm counting the days until January 5!

Jean thanks again -- you saved me from going through a LOT of stress!

Wendy

I can't stop smiling!!