THE BONE-ANCHORED HEARING-AID - THE 3RD OPTION FOR OTOSCLEROSIS

The bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) has mainly been used for the trea tment of hearing loss in patients with congenital conductive problems or chronic suppurative otitis media. In a five-year period, 32 otoscle rotic patients have been referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for consideration of a BAHA. Ten of these patients have been fitted and ga ined benefit compared to their previous hearing aid. The benefits are not necessarily those in hearing ability but in some cases relate to c osmetic or comfort improvements. This paper demonstrates that the BAHA offers a third treatment option for otosclerosis in patients who cann ot or will not undergo stapedectomy and experience difficulty with con ventional hearing aids.