Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids in Novi and Brighton, Michigan
At The Hearing Center in Novi and Brighton, we offer different hearing aids, including bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs). A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) bypasses many obstacles by directly attaching to the skull and transmitting sound through the bones to the cochlea (inner ear). The Hearing Center wants to ensure you get the best hearing treatment to fit your lifestyle. Schedule a consultation today to find out how we can improve your hearing.
Leave Traditional in the Past
A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a type of hearing aid that works by sending sound through the bones. It works best for people with conductive hearing loss, unilateral hearing loss, single-sided deafness, and mixed hearing loss who can't wear hearing aids in or behind the ear. Brighton and Bingham Farms are two locations, including Novi, Michigan, where The Hearing Center offers BAHA surgery. This surgery is minimally invasive and can be done as an outpatient procedure. Aftercare is essential to ensure proper healing, and Dr. Matthew Farrugia will provide you with all the information and resources you need to make a full recovery.
Less Feedback
There are many advantages of BAHA over traditional hearing aids. One is that BAHA can significantly improve hearing, even for people with severe hearing loss. Additionally, BAHA is less likely to cause ear pain, and it can be used with headphones and Bluetooth devices. Finally, BAHA is more aesthetically pleasing than traditional hearing aids.
The World Is Singing
First, you need to consult with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist to see if you are a candidate for the BAHA. If you are, then you will need to have a CT scan of your skull to check the placement of your bones. Next, you will have surgery to place the implant in your skull. After that, you will need to wait 4-6 weeks for the implant to heal. Once it has healed, you will be able to go back to the audiologists to get fitted for your BAHA. You will not be able to hear anything during this time because there is no sound until after the fitting. The first time you use your BAHA, you might feel dizzy or uncomfortable because it takes some getting used to. Some people may also experience some pain or ringing in their ears, but these effects usually go away after two days of use. Overall, most people say they are satisfied with the device and find their quality of life improves dramatically.
Your Ears Matter
BAHA surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. Recovery time is typically short, and you may be able to return to your normal activities within a few days. The most common side effect is temporary numbness around the incision site. You may also experience some swelling, bruising, and pain. These side effects should improve within a week or two. If they don't, contact your doctor. Numbness around the incision site is more likely if you had any facial nerve damage during the surgery. Pain that doesn't get better quickly after the surgery could indicate infection, so contact your doctor immediately if this happens.
Impressive Sound
The results are impressive. By using vibrations, the BAHA bypasses the damaged middle ear and sends the sound directly to the inner ear. This results in a significant improvement in hearing. Additionally, the BAHA is very small and inconspicuous. It is also comfortable to wear and doesn't require any special care. For many people, this means they can wear it all day long without pain or discomfort. The BAHA fits snugly against the skin of your head and rests behind your ear.
Your Partners in Hearing
At The Hearing Center, we offer various services to help those with hearing loss. One of these services is the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA). This type of hearing aid is perfect for those with conductive hearing loss, single-sided deafness, or mixed hearing loss. If you are interested in learning more about this hearing aid, schedule a consultation today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
There are two parts to your BAHA device: the surgical screw, and the processor. The screw cannot be removed without a surgical procedure as it is fixed to bone. However, the processor is removable. Your audiologist can help you discuss situations where it may not be advisable to wear your processor.
You can still swim and play sports with a BAHA. You should wear a helmet to protect your gear for more active sports involving contact. You'll need to take off the outer part (much like a hearing aid) for swimming. Water doesn't change the abutment in any way.
As long as the sound processor is taken off of the BAHA, MRI scans can be done at 1.5T and 3.0T. With the magnet in place, the BAHA Attract System can do an MRI at 1.5 Tesla. If an MRI needs to be stronger or artifacts need to be reduced, the internal magnet can be surgically taken out.
BAHA surgery is, in general, a safe procedure with little postoperative discomfort or side-effects. Surgical site pain is generally temporary. Jaw stiffness post-surgery can occur. If you have questions or concerns regarding surgery and side-effects, contact your ENT physician for more details.
What will the world sound like to you after a visit to The Hearing Center? The only way to find out is to schedule a consultation. Our audiologists are ready to listen to your concerns and find the right treatment to improve your hearing and unlock a new world of possibilities in your daily life. We look forward to hearing from you!
