Hi MMFlorida .....
In May, 2011 I had a translab approach surgery at HEI to remove my regrown AN. Because I knew this would totally destroy any remaining hearing in my AN ear, I talked with Dr. Friedman about implanting the baha abutment at the same time. He said he frequently does the two things at the same time. Therefore, the Oticon Medical Ponto Pro abutment was implanted at the same time as the translab surgery.
A baha is a bone conducted hearing system that transmits sounds via bone-conduction (as does the SoundBite system). People often confuse it with a cochlear implant that transmits sounds directly to a working cochlea. As long as one has a working auditory nerve, a baha (either an Oticon Medical Ponto or a Cochlear BAHA) will transmit the incoming sounds (from one's deaf side) to the working nerve on the hearing side. Note: you must decide which company beforehand because the processors (the actual hearing assist that snaps onto the abutment) do not fit each other's abutments.
Unless your husband has poor hearing in his non-AN ear, as well, he should be a candidate for a baha. Some doctors prefer to do two separate surgeries. I am glad Dr. Friedman did mine at the same time ..... much less hassle than having to go through another procedure later.
PM me if you would like to talk more about this privately.
Clarice