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BAHA The BAHA is a hearing aid with a difference. Most people with TC don't have ears therefore can't wear an ordinary aid, the BAHA is an aid that connects to a screw that is embedded in to the scull so that sound can vibrate on to your bone also known as bone conduction. What does it feel like to get one? What can i do to protect my BAHA?
What does it feel like to get one? The process of getting a BAHA involves having two operations, the first is to insert the screw in to some bone in your head and cover it up and the second is to unearth the screw so that later it can be used for the aid. The operations take about two to three hours, but your in dream land so you won't get board lying on the table or anything. After the operations you may have a headache or feel a bit groggy but that soon passes. after the second operation to have to wear a plastic button on the screw with some ribbon behind it which later gets taken off. The whole process takes a while but in the end is worth it because you'll get a much better hearing aid and will be able to hear more things more clearly.
When i decided that i wanted a BAHA i told my parents, which is what you should do. You can contact you local hospital and ask about it, but when i wanted one we arrange an appointment and went to Birmingham because they have the best experience in doing the operation. I suggest that you talk to other people before getting one, if you don't know anyone locally talk to people on the forum.
There are more good points about the BAHA than there are bad, the first bad thing about it is that you have to have two operations to get it the other thing is that it can get knocked off, but most hearing aids can if you catch it right. The good points are that you can hear things much clearer and pick out voices easier as well as hear new and annoying noises. The other good thing about it is that it is really comfortable, before i got my BAHA I wore a head band aid that made my head sore and gave me headaches.
What can i do to protect my BAHA? I said before that the BAHA can get knocked off, so to not loose it in a crowed place, the hospital gave me a price of thread and a safety pin. You can loop the thread on BAHA (there's a little hook in there some where) or just loop it through the batteries holder, then you pin the safety pin on your shirt or jumper. This is so that if it gets knocked off its still attached to you. If you ever go to a theme park and forget your safety thread just go in to the shop and see if they have got a sewing kit, if not buy one of those wiggly worms because the thread that comes with that is really strong plus a worm is cheaper than buying a new hearing aid. Another good tip is to always carry a packet of batteries in your wallet or purse.
If you have any stories about your BAHA please feel free to e-mail them to me and they could go here and help other people who are thinking or already have a BAHA, or e-mail me if you have any tips about the BAHA. The e-mail address is lukee@hotmail.co.uk
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