Bone Anchored Hearing Aid: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) is a small vibrator that can be reversibly attached to a Titanium (Ti) screw and implanted behind the ear. It uses the bone conduction channel to activate the cochleae by converting sound into the vibration of the screw. The two main indications are conductive hearing loss and unilateral deafness when using traditional hearing aids is not possible, as a rehabilitative or mixed hearing loss with a moderate perceptual component. For patients with canal atresia, Single-sided Deafness (SSD), and chronically discharged ears despite treatment, the BAHA implant is an option. Combination hearing loss is a crucial indicator for implanted hearing implants. Various options are accessible based on the bone conduction threshold. Patients with modest sensorineural impairment usually benefit from transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implants (BCI), while those with intermediate hearing loss may also benefit from percutaneous BCI devices. For combined, active middle ear implants are advised for hearing deficits with moderate and severe cochlear hearing loss. For individuals who need middle ear surgery or who are incompatible with other options for therapy, implants are a helpful and successful addition. Skin-drive Bone Conduction Devices (BCDs) are BCDs that vibrate the bone via the skin can also be separated into passive subcutaneous devices and traditional devices that are coupled, for instance, with soft bands with implanted magnets. BCDs that directly stimulate the bone, percutaneous devices, and dynamic transcutaneous devices are examples of direct-drive devices. The latter kind of apparatus uses embedded transducers to stimulate bone effectively via healthy skin. The BAHA, also known as the percutaneous direct-drive device (BCD), now rules the market. More direct-drive and skin-drive transcutaneous solutions are now being studied, partly due to problems with the transdermal implant and partly for aesthetic reasons.