Learning Objectives: To evaluate hearing and medical outcomes with contemporary BAHA implants as well as willingness of BAHA candidates who suffer from chronic otitis media to undergo BAHA implantation.
Introduction: Osseo-integrated bone-anchored hearing implants are used in patients with conductive/mixed complex hearing loss, when other rehabilitation alternatives are not feasible.
Methods: The study included two groups of patients: 62 candidates with COM who were referred for BAHA during 2012–2015 and 34 BAHA implantees. Information in the first group was collected regarding the willingness of these individuals to receive a BAHA implant. In the second group, hearing thresholds before and after implantation were analyzed and patients were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their habitual daily use of the system and medical issues related to the implant.
Results: Out of 62 BAHA candidates, only 21 (34%) decided on BAHA surgery. Of the 34 BAHA implantees, 30 (88%) are using their devices. Recurrent local infection surrounding the abutment have led 4 patients with older generation BAHA connect to stop using their device, and two of them had it surgically removed. The other two are scheduled for replacement to a BAHA attract device. Hearing outcomes with BAHA implants mirror bone conduction thresholds in the BAHA Connect group and are slightly below bone conduction thresholds in the BAHA Attract group. Pre-implantation thresholds with the BAHA Soft Band predict post-implantation BAHA Connect as well as BAHA Attract thresholds.
Conclusions: Hearing outcomes with BAHA implants are good and predictable. The only reason for non-use is medical issues concerning the abutment in older generations BAHA Connect systems. Despite excellent experience among BAHA users and professionals, these technologies are still under-utilized, even in those for whom BAHA is the only hearing solution.
