Bone anchored hearing devices (BAHD)

BAHD stands for bone anchored hearing device.

When will my child be fitted with the BAHD?

The BAHD sound processor is ordered for your child and is usually kept in the hospital until it is considered safe to fit it. If you already have a softband BAHD we will use your existing hearing processor.

If your child is having an abutment

The BAHD can be fitted onto the abutment approximately 2 to 4 weeks after surgery.

If your child is having a magnetic BAHD

A magenetic BAHD sometimes called a ‘BAHA attract’ is usually fitted 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, depending on healing of soft tissue. Your ENT consultant or specialist nurse will usually advise you about this at your post surgery appointment. If your child currently uses a softband BAHD we will ask you to stop using this to allow for time for the skin to heal during this period of time.

What happens at the loading session?

The loading session is a 1 hour appointment.

• We will check the skin around the abutment or magnet site.
• We will programme your child’s BAHD through the computer, usually by asking your child to listen and respond to sounds, in order to fine tune the prescription.
• We will show you and your child how to connect and disconnect the BAHD, how to use and take care of it.
• We will advise you about skin or wound care.

How often will my child need to come back to see the audiologists after the first fitting?

You will have a review appointment 2 months after the first fitting.

• We will check how your child is getting on with the BAHD, and adjust the sound settings if necessary.
• We may complete some simple speech tests or questionnaires to see how beneficial the BAHD is for your child.
• We will plan the next appointment, which will usually be 6 to 12 months.
• You will also have appointments in the ENT service. Please attend both types of appointments.
• We advise you to get in touch with us should a problem arise in between appointments.

What if my BAHD develops a fault?

You can phone one of the audiologists involved in the BAHD service at any time during office hours on 0114 271 7450 for advice about BAHD.

How do we get replacement accessories?

Batteries, safety lines, softpads, magnets, battery drawers can be posted home. You can phone Hearing Services workshop to request this. If your BAHD is broken we will discuss arranging a repair or replacement with you. We may ask you to attend an appointment for this.

Hearing Services Workshop telephone: 0114 271 7462

What should we do if the area around the abutment or magnet site becomes sore or looks infected?

You will need to contact the ear, nose and throat (ENT) service:

Jane Hutchins, ENT Specialist Nurse, jane.hutchins3@nhs.net

Call the switchboard on 0114 271 7000, ask for bleep 573

Jane may need to coordinate a further appointment with the ENT Consultant.