Benefit and Quality of Life After Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid Fitting in Children With Unilateral or Bilateral Hearing Impairment (original) (raw)

The Outcomes of Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) Fitting in a Paediatric Cohort

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Audiology, 2006

To date, most studies of bone anchored hearing Aid (BAHA) fitting in children have focused on long-term maintenance of osseointegration and objective audiological outcomes, with little attention given to more qualitative outcomes relating to day-today use. This study involved 8 participants, aged between 12 and 21 years, all of whom had worn a unilateral BAHA for at least 1 year. The aims of the study were to examine audiological, physical and psychosocial outcomes. Evaluation included audiometric testing, a semistructured interview, and two questionnaires (i.e., Glasgow Benefit Inventory and International Outcomes Inventory-Hearing Aids). Results revealed improvements in speech discrimination, sound quality and comfort for all participants. Improvements in confidence, self-image, and socialisation were also experienced. Participants expressed some dissatisfaction with localisation abilities, phone usage, and the lack of availability of ongoing service and support. Findings indicate that the BAHA offers audiological, physical and psychosocial benefits for paediatric wearers, resulting in high levels of satisfaction.

Bilateral Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid Application in Children

Otology & Neurotology, 2010

Objective: This study presents clinical data and quality of life questionnaire outcomes in children and young adults with bilateral Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs). Study Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Tertiary care referral center. Patients: Eligible study subjects comprised 27 patients with bilateral conductive hearing loss fitted with bilateral BAHAs in childhood or as young adults at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre between June 1996 and October 2008. Methods: Questionnaires comprised the BDaily use of bilateral BAHAs[ questionnaire, the Glasgow Children_s Benefit Inventory, and the Speech Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale modified for children. Results: A total of 23 children were selected to fill out the postal questionnaires; 21 (91%) of them responded. In 90%, both BAHAs were being used 7 days a week. One child was using 1 BAHA but not the other, and one child was only using both BAHAs at school. Nine children reported that they Address correspondence and reprint requests to Catharina A

Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids in Infants and Children Younger Than 5 Years

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;133(1):51-55, 2007

Objective: While bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) are currently indicated for rehabilitation in children older than 5 years with bilateral maximal conductive hearing loss, our objective was to capitalize on potentially important stages of auditory and speech-language development by providing BAHAs to children younger than 5 years. Design: A retrospective review of surgical data of children receiving BAHA implants over a 10-year period.

The Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid

Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2004

Objectives: To assess the impact of a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) on the quality of life (QOL) of adults and to test the hypothesis that a BAHA improves QOL because otorrhea and/or skin irritations decrease.

Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) in children: Experience of a tertiary referral centre in Portugal

Acta otorrinolaringologica espanola, 2016

The aim of this study is to describe the experience of a tertiary referral centre in Portugal, of the placement of BAHA in children. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of all children for whom hearing rehabilitation with BAHA was indicated at a central hospital, between January 2003 and December 2014. 53 children were included. The most common indications for placement of BAHA were external and middle ear malformations (n=34, 64%) and chronic otitis media with difficult to control otorrhea (n=9, 17%). The average age for BAHA placement was 10.66±3.44 years. The average audiometric gain was 31.5±7.20dB compared to baseline values, with average hearing threshold with BAHA of 19.6±5.79dB. The most frequent postoperative complications were related to the skin (n=15, 28%). There were no major complications. This study concludes that BAHA is an effective and safe method of hearing rehabilitation in children.

Experience of bone-anchored hearing aid implantation in children younger than 5 years of age

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 2015

To assess the practicality and benefit of Bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA 1) implantation in children younger than 5 years of age. FDA approval for use of BAHA 1 only exists for children 5 years of age and older. Their use in Australia is also rare, however their use for younger children is approved by the European Union. We wish to share our experience of implantation in an antipodean setting in this age group. Methods: Institutional board approval was obtained for this study. All children undergoing BAHA 1 implantation under 5 years old were included from our prospective database. We examined the variety of surgical techniques, (including skin grafting, limited soft tissue reduction and no soft tissue reduction), BAHA 1 implants and abutments used, and use of the new series 400 hydroxyapatite coatings. Demographic data obtained included age at surgery, follow up duration, gender, ethnicity and indication for surgery. Anonymous benefit questionnaires (Glasgow children's benefit inventory (GCBI) and parents' evaluation of aural performance of children (PEACH)) were completed online as well as a questionnaire on device use. Complications recorded included soft tissue reactions, implant loss/ removal, abutment replacement/removal. We also assessed whether patient weight, ethnicity or socioeconomic status were risk factors for these complications. Results: 24 Children (26 ears/26 implants) under five years were identified from the database and included in the study. There was a 14:10 male to female ratio. Patient caregivers reported subjective benefit and improved quality of life (QOL) despite setbacks and complications related to BAHA 1 usage. 10/24 (42%) of children required treatment for significant peri-implant skin reactions whilst 25% required replacement of their abutments and/or implants. An increased risk of major complication was associated with socioeconomic deprived backgrounds and in patients of New Zealand Maori and Pacific Island ethnicity but not in patients with increased weight centiles. Conclusions: The BAHA 1 implant and hearing aid system is of value to children under age 5 years. Parents tolerate the skin reactions and complications because of the perceived benefit in hearing and quality of life. Careful counselling of parents of potential young BAHA 1 implant candidates is necessary in light of this.

Bilateral Bone‐Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs): An Audiometric Evaluation

The Laryngoscope, 2004

Objectives Since the technique to implant bone‐anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) with the use of osseointegrated implants was developed in 1977, more than 15,000 patients have been fitted with BAHAs worldwide. Although the majority have bilateral hearing loss, they are primarily fitted unilaterally. The main objective of this study was to reveal benefits and drawbacks of bilateral fitting of BAHAs in patients with symmetric or slight asymmetric bone‐conduction thresholds. The possible effects were divided into three categories: hearing thresholds, directional hearing, and binaural hearing.Study Design Prospective study of 12 patients with bilateral BAHAs.Methods Baseline audiometry, directional hearing, speech reception thresholds in quiet and in noise, and binaural masking level difference were tested when BAHAs were fitted unilaterally and bilaterally.Results Eleven of the 12 patients used bilateral BAHAs on a daily basis. Tests performed in the study show a significant improvement in...