Author Topic: I was just approved for a BAHA  (Read 12546 times)

keithk

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I was just approved for a BAHA
« on: October 22, 2010, 01:01:35 pm »
Today I received the authorization letter approving my BAHA. This has been a very good week for my wife and myself. Our daughter had her twins and now approval. Life couldn't get much better.
AN surgery 8/19/10, 9.5 hrs
8mm x 5mm left side
Retrosigmoid, Drs Reichert & Harvey
Severe hearing loss in the left ear before surgery. SSD after surgery. Balance issues. Tinnitus (mild). Buzzing in left ear.
BAHA implant surgery 11/17/10
BAHA activation 2/1/11

Jim Scott

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2010, 01:24:09 pm »
Keith ~

Congratulations!  Grandchildren and a BAHA - life is good!  :)

4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

ksiwek

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2010, 02:37:46 pm »
Congrats on your blessings!  Here's to more good things coming your way!  I just had BAHA surgery 2 weeks ago...so far so good!

When will you be scheduling your BAHA surgery?  Keep us posted!

Best,
Kris
Translab 6/4/10 for 4+ cm left AN.  Drs Friedman and Schwartz at HEI saved my life!
BAHA surgery on 10/7/10 with Dr Battista of Chicago Ear Institute (Oticon Ponto Pro)

lori67

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2010, 02:38:39 pm »
Yay, Keith!

This has been a good week for you!  Maybe you should go buy a lottery ticket!   ;)

Just think, soon you'll be able to hear your twin grandchildren loud and clear!  

Congratulations!
Lori
Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

tenai98

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2010, 02:52:20 pm »
Congrats...
JO
14mmX11mmX11mm left ear
TRANSLAB 04/07/09 2cms at time of surgery
Dr. Benoit and Schramm, Ottawa Civic Campus
SSD ,some facial numbness
Baha surgery sept 22/09
residual tumor 13mmX7mmX8mm
2016 new growth.  25mmX21mmX22mm
cyberknife on June 7

Kaybo

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2010, 03:49:07 pm »
YIPEEEEEEEE!!!

K   ;D
Translab 12/95@Houston Methodist(Baylor College of Medicine)for "HUGE" tumor-no size specified
25 yrs then-14 hour surgery-stroke
12/7 Graft 1/97
Gold Weight x 5
SSD
Facial Paralysis-R(no movement or feelings in face,mouth,eye)
T3-3/08
Great life!

CHD63

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2010, 04:30:48 pm »
Good news, indeed ..... you deserve it!

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

leapyrtwins

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2010, 08:16:43 pm »
Wow!  How exciting!  I can SO relate to this - twins and a BAHA, two things near and dear to my heart  ;D

Enjoy the twins - they grow so fast; mine will be 15 at the end of February. 

When you get a date for your BAHA implant surgery, drop Lori (lori67) or me a PM with your mailing address and we'll send you one of our complimentary Official BAHA Recovery Kits. 

Best,

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Lizard

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2010, 01:23:56 pm »
Fantastic news and congrats on the birth of your grandchildren!  ;D
Left AN 2.5CM,retrosigmoid 11/2008, second surgery to repair CSF leak. 
Headaches began immediately.  Dr. Ducic occipital nerve resection, December 2011!!!!!

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on"
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Mei Mei

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2010, 09:06:48 pm »
That's great news!   I'm thrilled for you.   You'll be able to hear your new grandchildren on both sides now and with twins...all the better!   ;D
Mei Mei
1 cm Tumor RetrosigmoidSurgery on Jan 12 at Johns Hopkins
Drs. Niparko and Tamargo
35dB loss pre surgery and now SSD
Post surgical Headaches and Tinnitus
Dr Ducic Georgetown Excision Surgery May 2011
Dr. Schwartz GW  Titanium Mesh  March 2012
Drs Kalhorn/Baker, Georgetown Removal of Titanium Mesh

jaylogs

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2010, 11:08:35 pm »
Congrats!! I'll bet you are ready to start being able to tell what direction some sound is coming from, huh? :)
Jay
8.1mm x 7.8mm x 8.2mm AN, Left Ear, Middle Fossa surgery performed on 12/9/09 at House by Drs. Brackmann/Schwartz. Some hearing left, but got BAHA 2/25/11 (Ponto Pro) To see how I did through my Middle Fossa surgery, click here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jaylogston

leapyrtwins

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2010, 12:00:14 pm »
Congrats!! I'll bet you are ready to start being able to tell what direction some sound is coming from, huh? :)

Actually most people who wear a BAHA don't gain directionality.

I believe that I have over time - I've worn my BAHA for 2 1/2+ years now - but I'm not sure if I'm right about that or not.

My neurotologist and another doctor from his practice are currently doing a research study on this (I was a participant) and I'm anxious to see what the results are, but in the meantime, Keith, don't get your hopes up about directionality.  You may or may not acquire it.

Regardless, BAHAs rock!

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

keithk

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2010, 03:32:24 pm »
I know that I will not have directonal hearing, but at least I will be able to hear people on my left side. Right now I tell friends and family to stand on or near my right side so I can hear them. I also tell them if I tell them to stand on my left side that means I don't want to talk or listen to them.
AN surgery 8/19/10, 9.5 hrs
8mm x 5mm left side
Retrosigmoid, Drs Reichert & Harvey
Severe hearing loss in the left ear before surgery. SSD after surgery. Balance issues. Tinnitus (mild). Buzzing in left ear.
BAHA implant surgery 11/17/10
BAHA activation 2/1/11

leapyrtwins

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2010, 10:47:47 am »
Guess I misinterpreted Jay's post a little bit, Keith.  Sorry  ::)

You will definitely be able to hear people who are on your "bad" side once you start wearing your BAHA processor.  It's one of the great things about the BAHA.

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

keithk

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Re: I was just approved for a BAHA
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2010, 10:19:36 am »
I just got off the phone with Dr. Harvey's office. My surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday, November 17th.  ;D

What is the typical time frame from surgery to being fitted with the BAHA?
AN surgery 8/19/10, 9.5 hrs
8mm x 5mm left side
Retrosigmoid, Drs Reichert & Harvey
Severe hearing loss in the left ear before surgery. SSD after surgery. Balance issues. Tinnitus (mild). Buzzing in left ear.
BAHA implant surgery 11/17/10
BAHA activation 2/1/11