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Bilateral bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs): an audiometric evaluation
Claudia Priwin1, Stefan Stenfelt, Gösta Granström
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Göteborg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. claudia.priwin@ks.se
The Laryngoscope
|January 8, 2004
Summary
Bilateral bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) significantly improve sound localization and speech understanding in quiet and noise compared to unilateral fitting. Bilateral BAHAs offer benefits beyond simple sound stimulation, enhancing binaural hearing for suitable patients.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) are widely used for hearing loss, but often fitted unilaterally despite bilateral hearing deficits.
- The efficacy of bilateral BAHA fitting for symmetric or slightly asymmetric hearing loss requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of bilateral BAHA fitting compared to unilateral fitting.
- To assess the impact on hearing thresholds, directional hearing, and binaural hearing.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 12 patients fitted with bilateral BAHAs.
- Evaluated audiometry, sound localization, speech reception thresholds (in quiet and noise), and binaural masking level difference for both unilateral and bilateral fitting.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in sound localization with bilateral BAHAs compared to unilateral fitting.
- A 5.4 dB improvement in speech reception threshold in quiet was observed with bilateral BAHAs.
- Enhanced speech reception in noise was also noted with bilateral BAHA application.
Conclusions:
- Bilateral BAHA fitting demonstrates superior outcomes compared to unilateral fitting.
- Benefits extend beyond simple bilateral stimulation, incorporating binaural hearing advantages.
- Bilateral BAHAs are recommended for patients with bilateral hearing loss who are candidates for BAHA implantation.