The process of obtaining a BAHA

There are three steps to BAHA implantation: assessment, surgery, and post op switching on.

Before surgery

If you are considering a BAHA you will firstly need to be assessed by our surgeons and audiologists. This assessment will determine if a BAHA may be of benefit and whether there are factors that might preclude it being fitted. This may involve several visits over a period of time to accurately assess your level of hearing.

The operation

The surgical procedure is performed at St Andrews Hospital, located on South Terrace, Adelaide.

The surgery for placement of the BAHA titanium implant is usually performed under a general anaesthetic and takes around 1 hour

An area above and behind the ear will be chosen as the site for the implant and a small amount of hair shaved. A 4cm incision is made and the soft tissue under this skin removed to thin the skin around the implant site. This will prevent contact between the skin and the processor when it is eventually fitted.

A small hole is then drilled into the bone and the titanium implant self taps into this hole using a slow torque controlled powered instrument. This is important as excessive force will decrease the bone’s ability to grip the device.

The wound is then closed and a protective dressing applied.

Generally most recipients will go home the same or next day and see their surgeon 1 week later.

Following surgery

In order to ensure the implant has completely bonded with the skull bone, we leave a gap of 6-12 weeks before the BAHA speech processor is switched on. At the time of switch on, you will visit SACIC for the BAHA to be tuned to your individual needs.