ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: lholl36233 on August 05, 2009, 01:30:55 pm
-
Does this mean the hearing nerve is gone and the BAHA won't help you because there is no hearing nerve for it to stimulate?
This is what I was told today.
-
Do you mean zero pct on your good side?? If that's the case then you would need a cochlear implant. If your bad side is zero, and you have a good side, then the BAHA would work for you. The BAHA transmits sound waves thru the skull from bad side to good side.
-
Zero percent on my bad side. My good side is 100%. Do I need a new ENT if he thinks the BAHA won't work for me?
Thank you.
-
I'm confused. Isn'lt a cochlear implant a BAHA? Is there a difference? Please explain. I'm so new to all this.
-
Laura ~
If your hearing nerve is destroyed, regular hearing aids won't help because they basically amplify sound. However, the BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) works by receiving sound that is picked up by your skull and transmits it to your operative ear. It is only used by those who are completely deaf in one ear. You should be a candidate for this device but your doctor, ENT or Audiologist can best answer that question.
Jim
-
My ENT told me the BAHA wouldn't work because I have no hearing nerve for it to amplify. That is not how understood by reading the posts of those who have gone through it.
-
the baha will work for you if you have 100% in the good ear, it will pick up sounds and transfer then too the baha on the bad side.
-
I'm confused. Isn'lt a cochlear implant a BAHA? Is there a difference? Please explain. I'm so new to all this.
No, a 'BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) is not a cochlear implant. A cochlear implant replaces damaged inner ear mechanisms. When your hearing nerve is damaged (in one ear) as with acoustic neuroma growths, the ear works just fine but the nerve that sends the signal (sound) from the ear to the brain, where it is processed, is basically inoperative. The BAHA picks up sound that hits your skull (bone), then an external processor transmits that sound to your 'good' (hearing) ear, whose nerve is undamaged. Like any hearing device, it can't perfectly duplicate 'normal' hearing but it is an improvement and a boon to those with SSD who struggle with their hearing loss.
Jim
-
Thank you jazzfunkanne. Why I am upset right now is not because of being told of zero percent speech recognization or the prospect of surgery. I am upset having been told by an ENT who has written books on the inner ear the BAHA won't help me when my right ear is 100%. Would you agree?
-
Thanks Jim, that makes sense. I've been so frustrated with my hearing lately. I'm really considering BAHA.
-
I understand completely with your fustration alot of ENTs just do not care about SSD people they figure well you got one good ear let them be in our shoes.if you want I will get you a clinc around you that does BAHA just give me the state you live in and I will find it on COCHlear Corps website for you if you would like or goto http://www.cochlearamericas.com/Support/find_clinic_search.asp to find one. Plus read this it will help you http://products.cochlearamericas.com/baha/introduction-to-baha/who-can-use-baha Good Luck. Mike Corso
-
Thanks Mike. I'll look at the link. I'm in Massachusetts. I asked if radiation was an option for this tumor and the doctor told me that was a question for the neurosurgeon. Really?
-
Thanks Mike. I'll look at the link. I'm in Massachusetts. I asked if radiation was an option for this tumor and the doctor told me that was a question for the neurosurgeon. Really?
where in MA are you? I just looked at your posting history and its not an AN but a bone pressing against the inner canal? I'm a little lost how radiation could potentially help that? Are you talking to anyone at MEEI/MGH?
Phyl
-
I'm next to Worcester in Millbury. I go to UMASS at Lake Ave. The link said UMASS on Belmont St. is a BAHA clinic so I might have to go there.
Thank you.
-
Millbury.. got it.. hope you just weathered the storms ok last hour.. I saw they were nasty out there.
UMASS Med is a great place.... I thought MEEI also does BAHA as I've attended conferences there on hearing devices with a friend of mine (he's in the process of trying to invent a new cochlear hearing device)... and I've met someone local that have BAHA that I thought had it done at MEEI but I may be wrong on that one.......
But, it's not an AN but a bony piece, correct? I'm still a little confused why possible research for radiation if it's not a tumor... or, am I wrong on that? Did I misread? If I did, pls accept apologies. I'm just trying to keep it all straight, nothing more :)
Phyl
-
Today they called it a CPA tumor but I understood it not to be quite the same as an AN. The ENT couldn't tell me if radiation was an option or not, that it was a question for the neurosurgeon. The doctor also said to me today, "I don't know what to say?" Does not inspire confidence.
-
ah, ok.. got it. AN's are one of many kinds of CPA tumors... here's a good link to possibly help you out (since the docs aren't)....
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/883090-overview
This covers many kinds of CPA tumors, including AN's..... and yes, the doc is right.. for discussions for radiation.. a neurosurgeon is definately a good start.
Back to topic, have you also researched Transear hearing device? We have users on this site that use BAHA as well as Transear.... just another to toss out here. Regardless of what you decide to do.... here's hoping your research brings you answers... and that the docs give you answers you need as well. Since UMASS isn't really being all that helpful to you... maybe a ride down the Pike to MEEI for a 2nd opinion... just a thought... no biggie :)
Phyl
-
Thank you Phyl. Can anyone who reads this respond if they agree my doctor was not correct in his statement that the BAHA won't help me because I have no hearing nerve for it to stimulate? I understand that is true for a conventional hearing aid but not BAHA.
It will make me feel better. ;D
-
glad to help.
Jim's message here in this thread is "spot on" for the answer to the question you just asked.
Re: Zero percent speech discrimination
« Reply #7 on: Today at 01:01:35 PM »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote from: epodjn on Today at 12:51:24 PM
I'm confused. Isn'lt a cochlear implant a BAHA? Is there a difference? Please explain. I'm so new to all this.
No, a 'BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) is not a cochlear implant. A cochlear implant replaces damaged inner ear mechanisms. When your hearing nerve is damaged (in one ear) as with acoustic neuroma growths, the ear works just fine but the nerve that sends the signal (sound) from the ear to the brain, where it is processed, is basically inoperative. The BAHA picks up sound that hits your skull (bone), then an external processor transmits that sound to your 'good' (hearing) ear, whose nerve is undamaged. Like any hearing device, it can't perfectly duplicate 'normal' hearing but it is an improvement and a boon to those with SSD who struggle with their hearing loss.
Jim
-
Would you want someone to operate on you who doesn't understand what you highlighted?
-
To be fair, a BAHA can also be used to bypass a middle ear problem and transmit sound through to the inner ear on the same side. It has multiple applications. It is not that unlikely that an ENT would be more familiar with that kind of use. (You can see info on that on the Cochlear web site).
It is the general advice of the ANA to seek out medical professionals who have experience with acoustic neuromas, for just this kind of reason. It is a relatively rare condition, and most ENTs have not seen very many.
Steve
-
Thanks Steve. An experienced ENT doesn't mean he is experienced with our condition. I want to have the surgery with a doctor who will do the BAHA surgery at the same time. Has anyone had this done in Central MA or will I need to go to Boston? It would be well worth going to Boston.
-
Are you officially SSD when your speech discriminination is zero? During the test, I could softly hear, "Say the word" but I couldn't make out the word. ???
-
Mike Corso,
Great website you shared there! Very helpful
Thanks DHM