Wk9-22-BAHA

Question 1

Which company makes BAHA? What does the acronym stand for?

Answer 1

Cochlear
Bone Anchored Hearing Aid

• it was first made by Nobel-Biocare, which was purchased by Entific, then Cochlear Corporation

Question 2

What type of BCHD is the BAHA?

Answer 2

The BAHA delivers vibration directly to the bone percutaneously (permanent wound)

Question 3

What are the 3 parts of the BAHA?

Answer 3

The Implant (stays in the bone)
The Abutment (connects speech processor to implant)
The Speech Processor (with directional mics)

Question 4

What is osseointegration?

Answer 4

The process of integration of the implant into the temporal bone (active process)

• the implant becomes fixated into the bone and allows for good retention and transfer
• the bone grows around the implant

Question 5

What is the name of the implant/abutment technology that Cochlear trademarked for it’s BAHA implant?

Answer 5

DermaLock -

• implant made of TiOblast and titanium
• abutment made of titanium and hydroxyapatite

Created to help with soft tissue stability and minimize soft tissue loss during surgery.

Question 6

What are the goals behind the DermaLock Abutment design?

Answer 6

To achieve soft tissue preservation resulting in
- improved cosmetic outcomes
- minimized soft tissue disturbance
- streamlined surgical procedure
And to provide good soft tissue stability with minimal epidermal down growth and pocket formation
(The skin tends to heal by closing the gap where the implant is. If it does not stop growing, it will grow up or down, or make pockets (pockets and skin infections are the most common complications)

Question 7

What is so special about the hydroxyapatite of Cochlear’s DermaLock Technology?

Answer 7

The ability to bond to living tissue thanks to specific adsorption of important cell-binding proteins

Question 8

How does the BAHA Connect System maximize hearing performance?

Answer 8

Because the system transfers vibrations directly through the abutment, so no vibration is lost through skin

Question 9

Are the implant and abutment of the BAHA Connect System MRI safe?

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

How does the BAHA Attract system differ from the BAHA Connect?

Answer 10

Instead of an abutment, it uses magnet retention to connect the sound processor with an implant

• Skin remains intact
• Safety line should be worn
• Some of the signal is lost in the skin, so it is less powerful
• Reduced risk of loss of implant d/t trauma

Question 11

What are the benefits of the BAHA Attract system?

Answer 11

• Skin remains intact
• SoftWear Pad distributes pressure evenly to maximize wearing comfort
• Only minor surgery is required and the healing process is generally quick
• The internal magnet can be scanned safely up to 1.5 Tesla

Question 12

Describe the internal portion of the BAHA Attract (BI300) system

Answer 12

• thin titanium casing to minimize soft tissue irritation, which can be removed for MRIs greater than 1.5 Tesla
• strong foundation (screw) for efficient, single-point sound transmission and is the same as for abutment, if needed as future hearing option

Question 13

When comparing the attenuation of the BAHA Connect, Attract, and Softband, which frequencies showed the most difference? List the devices by order of transmission power

Answer 13

Mid and High frequencies showed the most difference

Connect had the most transmission power, followed by Attract, then Softband

Question 14

What other things should be considered when determining if someone is a candidate for an Attract System or a Connect System?

Answer 14

Connect              Attract
Performance vs Discretion
Thin Tissue vs Wound Care
Retention vs Ease
MRIs (3T vs 1.5 T)
Implant loss d/t trauma (Attract may be better for contact sports)

Question 15

A listening check with the BAHA processor is conducted before surgery. Which might they choose if they are not satisfied: Connect or Attract?

Answer 15

Connect

Question 16

T/F: A BAHA 5 sound processor can work with a soft band, Attract System or Connect System

Answer 16

True. It allows for an upgrade transition path. It is also iPhone and bluetooth compatible (avoids intermediary devices)

Question 17

What other non-surgical options are there for BAHA?

Answer 17

SoundArc options (flexible plastic that braces the head at the back and avoids pressure on the forehead)

Question 18

What technology does the BAHA use?

Answer 18

BCDrive

• smaller, more reliable, and better processing than previous transducer technology
• operates as magnet against 2 springs, delivering a more precise output, and less distortion

Question 19

What are the 3 types of speech processor powers for BAHA?

Answer 19

BAHA 5 - up to 45 dB
BAHA 5 power - up to 55 dB
BAHA 5 sp - up to 65 dB (**has 2 parts and looks more like a CI)

Question 20

What is the name of the BAHA and Nucleus signal processing philosophy?

Answer 20

SmartSound iQ

• automatic environment classification (scene classifier)
• controls active gain, active balanced directionality, and noise manager

Question 21

T/F: The BAHA 5 smart app is the first BC smart app

Answer 21

True - users can control the sound processor without an intermediary accessory and get assistance when needed