Welcome to the Ear Foundation BAHA pages
Recently the BAHA Users Support (Kent) (BUSK) charity joined with the Ear Foundation to ensure our work over the past ten years continues to be built on, benefitting current and future users of the bone anchored hearing systems. The Ear Foundation are able to bring their established expertise in research and developing resources for Cochlear Implant users to benefit BAHA users, enhancing the high quality, and friendly, support already offered by BUSK.
All BAHA users are welcome to join the Ear Foundation’s research forum, and also register to receive regular information/newsletters. For the opportunity to meet other potential and current BAHA users from the UK and round the world, visit our active forum.
What is a BAHA?
A Bone Anchored Hearing Aid System (BAHA) is the only implanted hearing treatment that works through direct bone conduction, working independently of the ear canal and middle ear.
It has been well recognised as a hearing treatment for conductive and mixed hearing loss since 1977, and was approved for Single Sided Deafness (SSD) in 2002.
There are three suppliers of BAHA in the UK:
Conventional BAHAs consist of a titanium implant, an external abutment and a detachable sound processor:
Another type of BAHA consists of an internal implanted magnet, an external magnetic spacer and a sound processor.
BAHA can also be worn on a softband. This allows for young children to get the benefit of a BAHA, without having the surgery. The softband can also be used to test the sound of a BAHA before proceeding with the surgery.
How does a BAHA system work?
Who Is Suitable for a BAHA?
- Conductive Hearing Loss
A conductive hearing loss means that sound cannot travel freely through the ear canal and middle ear to the cochlea. This type of hearing loss can be caused by an abnormality in the structure or blockage (excess ear wax / middle ear fluid) of the outer ear, ear canal or middle ear. - Mixed Hearing Loss
A mixed hearing loss means that there is both a conductive and senorineural hearing loss (SNHL). A SNHL is hearing loss is a result of damage to the hair cells within the cochlea and/or the hearing nerve. SNHL occurs naturally as part of the aging process, but there are other causes as well. - Single Sided Deafness (SSD)
A Single Sided Deafness (SSD) means that there is no sufficient hearing function of one cochlea.
For more information on the types of hearing loss, see the Action on Hearing Loss website.
How do I get a BAHA?
There are many local Audiology Services which provide BAHA. To be considered for a BAHA you have to have a BAHA assessment to see if you are a suitable candidate. We recommend that you discuss your hearing needs with your Audiologist.
How do I find out more?
BUSK (BAHA Users Support Group) was the only membership charity working to offer friendly support and information to those who use implanted bone conduction systems, and those considering having it fitted. BUSK is now part of The Ear Foundation. Please click here to visit the BAHA Users Support Group. You can register in the forum if you have any questions!
