ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: leapyrtwins on April 15, 2011, 10:08:44 pm
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Yesterday, my MRI tech and I were talking acoustic neuromas and BAHAs; mainly because I explained to him why I only needed one ear plug for my MRI. He told me his neighbor had an AN removed and a BAHA implant and he mentioned that not only was she thrilled with the "hearing" her BAHA provided her; she was also thrilled that her BAHA had improved her balance and she no longer walked "like she was drunk".
Huh ???
I asked me doc about this today and he confirmed that it actually does happen in some, but not all, cases. I told him this just wasn't logical because a BAHA has nothing to do with the hearing nerve and he agreed. He went on to tell me that no one is really sure how a BAHA implant can improve balance but said it probably has something to do with the fact that hearing (or lack thereof) has a direct effect on balance.
I didn't know that.
So now I'm curious. Anyone have improved balance post BAHA implant?
Jan
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No but I had a headache improvement after the Baha implant
read this
http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=14985.msg979725603#msg979725603
DHM
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So now I'm curious. Anyone have improved balance post BAHA implant?
No, but I should hasten to add that I didn't have any balance problems before or after my simultaneous AN / BAHA surgery.
Catherine (JerseyGirl2)
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My balance is better than right after the surgery, but I think my PT gets the credit for that.
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This is VERY interesting since I am still sonsidering the BAHA...however, since the most recent surgery didn't go so well, I don't think I will be allowed to get any more surgeries anytime soon!
K ;D
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No, balance still comes and goes, BAHA has no effect on my balance.
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Hi;
Possibly the good ear has become more sensitive and because of that, is more sensitive to loud sound than average.
The sensitivity may produce a mild, "Tullio's Phenomena". Vertigo/dizziness produced by loud sound.
In introducing the BAHA, the sound is changed so the hearing ear is less sensitive?
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I believe that witha BAHA, the hearing ear becomes more sensitive, as it now has to interperet sounds from the dead side.
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WOW ..... interesting topic! Getting my BAHA abutment in about three weeks, processor in about four months. This will be most interesting to see what happens to me since I have no vestibular function from either side. However, I just said the other day that I was hopeful it would help my balance because when the BAHA is working, I will have more evenly distributed sensory sound input. Hmmmmmm.
Kay, please do not have any more surgeries for awhile!! My heart wouldn't take it!!!! ::) ;D
Clarice
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I never had real problems with balance. More like equilibrium is a little off. Same post BAHA :)
Maureen
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I don't know if it was related to the BAHA, or just to "regular" healing, but thinking back I wasn't able to ride a bike (bad balance) until after my BAHA was implanted.
Might just be a coincidence though.
Jan
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Just got my abutment.... Can't wait till summer when I get the processor to see if it helps with my balance. That would be a WELCOMED side effect!!!
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Actually, for me, my balance went haywire for about 3 weeks after my BAHA surgery. I was especially dizzy for the first week and a half....then it cleared up. Weird. Jan, I asked our doc about it and he said that for some people it can cause short term balance problems/dizziness. I am much improved overall now as time pass from my AN surgery (10.5 months ago) and BAHA surgery (7 months ago).
I don't want to put anyone off about getting a BAHA...just sharing my personal experience on the balance discussion...I would get a BAHA again in a heartbeat ;D !!!!