Bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA): an evidence-based analysis
Citation
Bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA): an evidence-based analysis. Toronto: Medical Advisory Secretariat, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MAS) 2002; Volume 2, Number 3: 43
Authors' objectives
This review of the evidence assess the effectiveness and cost-efffectiveness of bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) in improving the hearing of people with conduction or mixed hearing loss.
Authors' conclusions
- Level 4 evidence showed that the BAHA is safe; exit site infection and loss of fixture are the most common complications.
- Improved hearing ability can be achieved for a small subset of patients with conduction or mixed hearing loss that cannot undergo surgical repair or wear a conventional bone conduction hearing aid.
- For those with chronic discharging middle ear infection or congenital conduction hearing loss, the BAHA is likely the only available alternative to the conventional bone conduction hearing aid, and would improve hearing without aggravating the ear infection.
- Given the nature of this technology, the indications for its use, and absence of alternative technologies for the target population, it is highly unlikely that Level 1 or 2 evidence will ever be forthcoming.