Question
If a potential candidate for a bone conduction implant does have a functioning ossicular chain, could they still be a candidate? When implanted, what are the down sides to having a bone conduction unit in terms of limitations and benefits?
Answer
An intact ossicular chain does not preclude the use of the Baha system. A candidate is anyone who qualifies based on audiological criteria, age, and appropriate expectations.
The biggest down-side, so to speak, is due to the risks of surgery, which is true for all surgeries. For some people who have sensorineural hearing loss, there may be a perception that the sound is not loud enough. Also, for some people, having something visible on the head, however slight, may be a negative factor when choosing whether or not to proceed with surgery.
Ms. Teri Sinopoli, M.A., CCC-A, AAA worked as a clinical audiologist for 10 years before joining Cochlear Corporation as Principal Clinical Specialist where she trained doctors and audiologists and handled regulatory reporting with issues related to cochlear implants. Since 1999, Teri has been with Entific Medical Systems where she manages clinical studies and audiology development. Ms. Sinopoli is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as the American Academy of Audiology. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Audiology from The University of Northern Colorado.