OBJECTIVES: The goals were to evaluate hearing, complications, and patient
satisfaction with the percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) and to
monitor long-term successful use achieved by careful patient selection.
METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study included participants with ino
perable congenital bilateral aural atresia, pure-tone average (PTA) bone co
nduction less than 45 dB HL, prior use of a conventional bone-conduction he
aring aid (CBCA), and adequate intelligence, integration, and personal hygi
ene. Surgery for BAHA implantation was performed in two stages. Evaluation
consisted of skin reactions, audiologic results with CBCA and BAHA, and pat
ient satisfaction. Follow-up was at least 24 months.
: In 11 participants aged 5 to 17 years, the PTA free-field air conduction
improved 37%, and free-field speech discrimination improved 23%, Successful
integration and implant use were achieved in 10 cases but were lost in 1 c
ase as a result of head trauma. All patients preferred the BAHA as opposed
to the CBCA.
CONCLUSIONS: The BAHA is a valuable device that can improve hearing and pro
vide significant parent and patient satisfaction. Careful selection appears
to correlate with successful long-term use.