A BAHA is a hearing aid that indirectly activates the inner ear by transmitting sound vibrations through the skull bone. A BAHA has two main parts: hearing aid and titanium abutment.

The titanium abutment is surgically secure to the skull bone behind the ear. The hearing aid clips onto this titanium abutment.

The hearing aid can easily be removed by the patient when not required. When the device is removed, the abutment remains in place and is visible to the keen eye.

The BAHA is programmed by an audiologist to analyse and selectively amplify sounds that are not being heard well by that specific patient. The sound vibration is transmitted through the abutment to the skull segment close to the inner ear – causing inner ear activation and resulting in the sound being heard. This method allows access of sounds to the inner ear and bypasses the outer and middle ears.

BAHAs are useful in those with conductive hearing loss since they bypass the outer and middle ears, stimulating the inner ear indirectly. Since they indirectly activate the inner ear, it is necessary to have reasonable inner ear function.

If inner ear function is poor in one ear only, a BAHA is still a good option. However in these situations the sound vibrations are being transmitted through the skull bone to the good ear, which is recruited to act as an entry of sound information from both sides of the head.

There are two main manufacturers used in the UK – Cochlear™ and Oticon. Both make fantastic devices and your implant audiologist or surgeon can talk you through your choices.

Each implant has different rules regarding scanning and it is important to take your implant registration card to the scanning department. Strict manufacturer instructions must be followed by the scanning department to ensure safety.

Generally, CT scans and MRI scans (up to 3 Tesla strength) are compatible will all new BAHA implants. The processor must be removed prior to scanning.

The processor is not waterproof.

However, as long as this is taken off before you get in the water, you are fine to swim.