BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) – Who It’s For and How It Works
For some people, conventional hearing aids are not suitable or effective. This is particularly true for patients with chronic ear disease, ear canal problems, or single-sided hearing loss.
A Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) is an alternative hearing solution that bypasses the ear canal and middle ear altogether, delivering sound directly to the inner ear through bone conduction.
At Hampshire ENT Clinics and Medicana Winchester, we assess patients for BAHA suitability and provide expert advice on surgical and non-surgical bone conduction hearing solutions for patients across Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and Salisbury.
👂 What Is a BAHA?
A BAHA is a hearing device that transmits sound vibrations through the skull bone directly to the inner ear, rather than through the ear canal and middle ear.
It consists of:
A sound processor worn externally
A bone conduction interface, which may be:
A surgically implanted titanium fixture, or
A non-surgical headband or adhesive system (in selected cases)
Because it bypasses the ear canal, it is ideal for patients who cannot use standard hearing aids.
🩺 Who Might Benefit from a BAHA?
BAHA is commonly recommended for patients with:
1. Conductive Hearing Loss
Where sound cannot efficiently pass through the ear canal or middle ear.
2. Mixed Hearing Loss
A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, where conventional aids provide limited benefit.
3. Chronic Ear Disease
Including:
Persistent ear discharge
Perforated eardrum
Mastoid cavity
Recurrent ear infections
BAHA avoids placing anything in the ear canal, reducing irritation and infection risk.
4. Single-Sided Deafness (SSD)
Where one ear has normal hearing and the other has severe or profound hearing loss.
BAHA transmits sound from the deaf side to the hearing ear, improving awareness and sound localisation.
🔍 How Is BAHA Assessment Carried Out?
Assessment at Hampshire ENT Clinics, The Harbour Suite or Medicana Winchester includes:
ENT examination
Full hearing assessment (audiogram)
Trial of a BAHA processor on a headband
Discussion of surgical vs non-surgical options
Review of expected benefits and limitations
This allows patients to experience the sound quality before making a decision.
🛠️ BAHA Surgery – What to Expect
For patients proceeding with implantation:
Surgery is usually a day-case procedure
Performed under general or local anaesthetic (depending on case)
A small incision is made behind the ear
Recovery is generally quick, with minimal discomfort
The sound processor is fitted after healing
Modern techniques have improved comfort, cosmetic outcomes and long-term reliability.
🌟 Benefits of BAHA
Patients often report:
Clearer sound quality
Improved speech understanding
Reduced ear infections
Greater comfort compared with conventional aids
Improved quality of life
However, BAHA is not suitable for everyone — careful assessment is essential.
🧠 BAHA vs Conventional Hearing Aids
BAHAConventional Hearing AidBypasses ear canalUses ear canalIdeal for chronic ear diseaseNot suitable with dischargeBone conductionAir conductionSurgical or non-surgical optionsNon-surgical
Your ENT specialist will guide you on the best option based on anatomy, hearing levels and lifestyle.
🏥 Why Choose Hampshire ENT Clinics
Patients choose our service because we offer:
Consultant-led ENT and hearing assessment
Expertise in chronic ear disease and hearing rehabilitation
Access to BAHA assessment and referral pathways
Modern facilities
Convenient and rapid access
Care for patients across Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and Salisbury
Our aim is to provide the right hearing solution for the right patient, with clear advice and realistic expectations.
👉 If conventional hearing aids are not working for you, contact Hampshire ENT Clinics or Medicana Winchester to discuss whether a BAHA could help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA)
What is a BAHA?
A Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) is a hearing device that transmits sound through bone conduction, bypassing the ear canal and middle ear to stimulate the inner ear directly. It is designed for patients who cannot benefit from conventional hearing aids.
How is a BAHA different from a standard hearing aid?
Conventional hearing aids amplify sound and deliver it through the ear canal. A BAHA bypasses the ear canal entirely, making it particularly suitable for patients with chronic ear disease, ear canal problems, or single-sided deafness.
Who is a BAHA most suitable for?
BAHA is commonly recommended for patients with:
Conductive hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss where standard aids are ineffective
Chronic ear disease with discharge or infections
Mastoid cavities or perforated eardrums
Single-sided deafness (SSD)
Can I try a BAHA before deciding on surgery?
Yes. As part of assessment at Hampshire ENT Clinics and Medicana Winchester, patients usually trial a BAHA sound processor on a headband. This allows you to experience the sound quality and potential benefit before making any decision.
Is BAHA always surgical?
No. While many patients proceed to a surgically implanted BAHA, non-surgical options such as headbands or adhesive bone conduction systems may be suitable in selected cases, particularly for children or those not wishing to undergo surgery.
What does BAHA surgery involve?
BAHA implantation is usually a day-case procedure, performed under local or general anaesthetic. A small titanium fixture is placed into the bone behind the ear. Recovery is typically straightforward, with minimal discomfort.
How long does recovery take after BAHA surgery?
Most patients recover quickly and return to normal activities within a few days. The sound processor is fitted after the surgical site has healed.
Will a BAHA cure my hearing loss?
A BAHA does not cure hearing loss, but it can significantly improve hearing clarity, speech understanding, and overall quality of life in appropriately selected patients.
Is BAHA suitable for everyone with hearing loss?
No. BAHA is not appropriate for all types of hearing loss. Careful ENT and audiological assessment is essential to determine whether it is the right solution for you.
Does a BAHA help with ear infections?
Yes, in patients with chronic ear disease, BAHA can reduce infections and irritation by avoiding anything being placed in the ear canal.
What is BAHA used for in single-sided deafness?
In SSD, BAHA transmits sound from the deaf side to the hearing ear, improving awareness of sounds from that side and helping with communication in noisy environments.
Where can I be assessed for a BAHA?
Assessment and advice are available at Hampshire ENT Clinics and Medicana Winchester, providing consultant-led ENT and hearing care for patients from Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester, Salisbury, and across Hampshire.