What Is a BAHA for Microtia?
A bone-anchored hearing aid is a common solution for hearing loss associated with microtia. Here is what to know.
A BAHA (Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid), also called a bone conduction implant, is a hearing device that transmits sound through the bone of the skull directly to the inner ear. It bypasses the missing or malformed outer and middle ear.
- How it works:
- A small titanium implant is surgically placed in the bone behind the ear
- The implant fuses with the bone (osseointegration)
- A sound processor attaches to the implant
- Sound vibrations travel through the bone directly to the inner ear (cochlea)
- The inner ear receives the sound normally
- Who needs it:
- Children with microtia (Grades 2β4) where the ear canal is absent
- Conductive hearing loss on the affected side
- Usually placed around age 5 (when the skull bone is thick enough)
- Types of BAHA:
- Percutaneous β a small abutment sticks through the skin; the processor snaps on
- Transcutaneous β the implant is under the skin; the processor attaches magnetically
- Softband β a headband with a processor (non-surgical, for infants)
- What to expect:
- Surgery: 1 hour, day surgery
- Healing: 3β6 months before the processor is fitted
- The device is worn during waking hours
- Hearing improves immediately when the processor is attached
- Improves hearing on the affected side
- Helps with sound localization
- Improves speech understanding in noise
- No ear mold needed
- The normal ear is left open
Benefits
Clinical Guidance
A BAHA is a bone-anchored hearing device that transmits sound through the skull to the inner ear, bypassing the malformed outer ear. It is the standard hearing solution for microtia and is typically placed around age 5.