BAHA (Osseo-Integrated) Implants

It is important to understand there are two different categories of hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss

A sensorineural hearing loss (or nerve hearing loss) is a hearing loss that is due to a problem of the inner ear, specifically with the cochlea’s ability to activate the hearing nerve. This is often treated by wearing hearing aids. If the sensorineural hearing loss is significant, a cochlear implant may potentially be indicated.

Conductive hearing loss

The other type of hearing loss is known as a conductive hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is often due to an anatomic or structural dysfunction of the outer ear or middle ear. This may be due to a problem with the ear canal, ear drum, or the hearing bones. Possible causes include cerumen impaction, large ear drum perforations or chronic infections involving the middle ear space and hearing bones.

Often times, these problems may be amenable to a surgery to fix the underlying problem. It is important to schedule a visit with an Otolaryngologist to discuss these options.

However, if surgical correction of the underlying problem is not possible, there are other options to treat a conductive hearing loss.

Osseo-Integrated implants are surgically placed implants that are designed to transfer sound from the outside world and stimulate the inner ear and cochlea directly. This will result in resolution of the conductive hearing loss and return sound to the normal neural levels. This is performed as a quick outpatient surgery and with very minimal recovery.

There are various types of Osseo-Integrated Implants. Please see the videos below to learn more or contact our office to make an appointment.