The Bradford bone-anchored hearing aid programme: impact of the multidisciplinary team

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact on implant survival, abutment skin reaction and patient satisfaction in patients implanted with a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA), following the introduction of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in 1997.

Design and methods: Part prospective and retrospective analysis. Implant survival and cause of failures were recorded along with abutment skin reaction (graded as none, mild, moderate and severe, according to the amount of wound care required). Patient satisfaction and quality of life were assessed using a questionnaire enquiring about several aspects of the use and benefits of their BAHA.

Setting and participants: Eighty patients treated at the Bradford Royal Infirmary between 1991 and 2005. The unit is a recognized tertiary referral centre.

Results and conclusions: Twelve out of 80 implants failed, giving an overall failure rate of 15 per cent. Kaplan–Meier survival curves show a steady decrease in implant survival. The MDT had a positive effect on implant survival and adverse skin reactions, with a higher proportion of patients experiencing no reaction after its introduction. There was a 92.5 per cent response rate to the questionnaire. Overall patient satisfaction was high, both before and after the introduction of the MDT.