BAHA Hearing Devices & Treatment of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a side effect of inner ear damage. Inner ear damage causes a distress signal to be sent to your brain. Tinnitus can sound like ringing, swooshing, pulsing, buzzing or chirping. Tinnitus can be occasional or constant, faint or intense. Wearing a hearing aid, such as a BAHA, can help reduce tinnitus signals for some people.

Features

• A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) requires a surgically implanted mastoid bone post. A BAHA attaches to the permanent post behind your ear and can be removed for cleaning, repairs or programming.

Function

• The BAHA is designed for people with outer- or middle-ear damage who can't use traditional ear canal hearing aids. A BAHA works by sending amplified sound vibrating through your mastoid bone to stimulate cochlear nerves.

Effects

• For some people, stimulating cochlear nerves with amplification helps mask the sound of tinnitus. While wearing the BAHA, the client may not notice her tinnitus as much. The tinnitus will return when the hearing device is removed or turned off.

Considerations

• A BAHA can only be used if you have a hearing loss. It's possible to have mild tinnitus and no hearing loss. People suffering from severe tinnitus usually have a hearing loss. An audiologist can perform in depth audiometric testing to determine if a patient is a candidate for the BAHA system.

Solution

• Some people also find tinnitus relief by wearing a traditional hearing aid. Anyone who suffers from tinnitus, hearing loss or deafness should seek the advice of an audiologist or otolaryngologist.