Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) in children: Experience of a tertiary referral centre in Portugal

Publication date: Available online 21 October 2016
Source:Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española
Author(s): Francisco Rosa, Ana Silva, Cláudia Reis, Miguel Coutinho, Jorge Oliveira, Cecília Almeida e Sousa
ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to describe the experience of a tertiary referral centre in Portugal, of the placement of BAHA in children.MethodsThe authors performed a retrospective analysis of all children for whom hearing rehabilitation with BAHA was indicated at a central hospital, between January 2003 and December 2014.Results53 children were included. The most common indications for placement of BAHA were external and middle ear malformations (n=34, 64%) and chronic otitis media with difficult to control otorrhea (n=9, 17%). The average age for BAHA placement was 10.66±3.44 years. The average audiometric gain was 31.5±7.20dB compared to baseline values, with average hearing threshold with BAHA of 19.6±5.79dB. The most frequent postoperative complications were related to the skin (n=15, 28%). There were no major complications.ConclusionsThis study concludes that BAHA is an effective and safe method of hearing rehabilitation in children.



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