Bone anchored hearing aids: reality, failure and current status
Kadhim, A.l.; Colreavy, M.P.; O'Donovan, C.; Blayney, A.
Irish Medical Journal 97(10): 312-314
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0332-3102 PMID: 15696880 Document Number: 582311
Bone Anchored Hearing Aids have both cosmetic and acoustic advantages over most conventional hearing aids and hence is a popular choice today. We report the first Irish group of patients who received a BAHA over a six year period of time and evaluated outcomes of these subjects using subjective assessment. The medical records of all patients who received a BAHA at the Mater and Children's University Hospital, Dublin, were reviewed. A questionnaire had been sent to the patients to obtain long-term subjective information. Twenty three patients were identified. The commonest indication for surgery was found to be the presence of a discharging mastoid cavity, followed by congenital ear malformations. Surgical procedures were carried out as a single stage in 16 patients. Questionnaires were sent to 19 patients; sixteen patients responded in total. BAHA has a beneficial outcome to the quality of life and has significantly reduced ear discharge. The one stage technique was found to have a lower complication rate.