gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: BAHA implantable prosthesis is a surgical solution for patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss, which cannot wear conventional hearing aids for medical or aesthetic reasons. BAHA implant bypasses the external and middle ear structures directly stimulating the cochlea.

Material, Methods: We included in our study patients implanted unilateral with BAHA prosthesis between 2008 and 2014 in Cluj-Napoca ENT Department. Patients were evaluated from audiological point of view preoperatively and postoperatively and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire was administrated to assess the patients’ subjective perception.

Results: Between 2008 and 2014 we implanted with BAHA device 26 patients, all founded by the National Insurance Company, most of them with conductive or mixed hearing loss and one patient with single side deafness. The mean age of patients was 33.19±20.74, 13 male and 13 female, 18 from urban areas and 8 from rural areas, 18 adults and 8 children. PTA increased from 71.20±10.50 dBHL, on air conduction preoperatively, to 29.23±5.09 dBHL in free field, postoperatively. Speech audiometry showed an improvement in intelligibility from 28.84% preoperatively to 90.76% postoperatively, in free field, at 65 dBHL. Glasgow Benefit Inventory score showed a significant improvement in quality of life after implantation.

Conclusions: Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) implant is a good solution for patients who are unable to wear conventional hearing aids. Surgical risks are reduced and the results show a significant improvement in postoperative auditory thresholds and in quality of life.

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