How does it work?
We receive sound in two ways, by air conduction via the ear canal, eardrum, and ossicles, and by bone conduction. Bone conduction transmits sound directly though the bones in the jaw and skull, bypassing the outer and middle ear.
In most cases, those with a hearing loss will be fitted with traditional air conduction devices. Typically, these hearing aids are placed inside the ear canal or behind the ear. However, some people are unable to benefit from this type of device.
The Baha system, which is based on bone conduction, utilizes a titanium implant, which is placed in the skull bone behind the ear. An abutment connects the sound processor with the implant in the bone. This creates direct (percutaneous) bone conduction. In contrast, traditional bone conductors connect indirectly to the bone through unbroken skin (transcutaneous) and work by exerting pressure against the skull.
Direct bone conduction, provided by Baha, gives improved access to sound when compared to traditional bone conductors since sound is not weakened when passing through the skin.
How It Works
Sound Processor snaps on to abutment. Abutment is attached to the titanium implant placed in the bone.
Baha: direct bone conduction
1. Sound waves are received by Baha sound processor
2. Sound waves bypass middle ear function and are delivered directly to the working cochlea in both ears
Baha for Single Sided Deafness (SSD)
For people with Single Sided Deafness (SSD), the Baha system allows sound to be heard from the deaf side, provided that hearing is normal in the opposite ear. This is possible because the sound waves are transmitted through the skull bone to the functioning cochlea on the opposite side.
- Sound waves are received by the Baha sound processor
- Sound waves travel by bone conduction to the functioning cochlea on the opposite side
- Sound is received by functioning cochlea
