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Bone Conduction Hearing Aids

Modified Bone Conduction Hearing Aid

Union Hearing Aid Center Limited provides a modification to the traditional bone conduction hearing aid used for the treatment of hearing impairment associated with atresia, microtia, or auditory canal anomalies.

This modified unit eliminates the use of a headband and offers a viable alternative to patients wanting an alternative to the traditional headband style model. This hearing aid is a great alternative to those individuals who do not wish to go the surgical route. For those who choose to go the surgical route, this hearing aid is routinely used until all stages of surgical intervention are completed.

This hearing aid requires the bone oscillator to attach to the mastoid area with double sided toupee tape. Taking the tape on and off the same area may cause some irritation to the skin. If the irritation persists it is advised to see your family doctor. This tape can be purchased through our office. The hearing aid side may be hung off the other ear or clipped to clothing using and alligator clip.

One must take special care with this instrument especially where the cord attaches to the jack. The jack can be ripped from the hearing aid quite easily if the cord is yanked.

The unit is powered by 675 zinc air batteries.

 

 

Bone Anchored Hearing Solutions Baha® (BAHA®)

Cochlear Baha® BP100

Cochlear Baha® Intenso™

Cochlear Baha® Cordelle II

Union Hearing Aid Center Limited is fully equipped to handle Bone Anchored Hearing Solutions. We provide service to all these units through Cochlear Canada Inc.

Caring for your sound processor:

You may wear your sound processor during all waking hours. Do not wear your processor when taking a shower, swimming or engaging in physical activity which might damage it. Remember this is a sensitive electronic device which is negatively affected by moisture , extreme temperatures or trauma.

Hygiene: Daily care- you must clean the skin around and in the abutment daily. Skin debris may build up around the abutment and it is important that you remove it to prevent infection. Use a soft cleaning brush seen here, soap and warm water. Contact your doctor if you have persistent problems such as soreness, formation of pus or inflammation around the abutment. Inspection of the abutment by your hearing healthcare practitioner is necessary usually about every six months to ensure the abutment is firm for both hygienic and acoustic reasons.


Cleaning the Sound Processor: The sound processor can be cleaned with a dry soft cloth.  Never use water or any other liquid to clean it.

 

Baha® Softband alternative

The Baha® (bone-anchored hearing aid) Softband appears to be an effective means of hearing rehabilitation for children with a congenital bilateral aural atresia who are too young for the Baha® surgery. The aided hearing threshold with a Baha® Softband is almost equal to that achieved with a conventional bone conductor. The speech development of the children studied with a Baha® Softband is on a par with peers with good hearing. This system has been used for children awaiting surgical stages of implantation.

Example of how the softband can be worn. The processor is snapped into the softband and is placed firmly around the head of the child. The softband has an adjustable length and tension by way of Velcro which can suit any size cranium.

Baha® Sound Processors - Accessories

Accessories - For BP100

Cochlear Baha Audio adapter short cable, 0.7m

Cochlear Baha Audio adapter long cable, 5m

Cochlear Baha Telecoil

Accessories - For Intenso, Cordelle II

Audio adapter for head worn devices Intenso Audio adapter Cordelle II

Bilateral connection cord (Only to be used with Audio adapter)

Telecoil black

There are accessories available for your sound processor which may make daily tasks such as using the telephone or listening to audio devices easier. The telecoil extends from the processor to make hearing on the telephone or using telecoil loop FM systems easier. The telecoil plugs into the bottom of the head worn sound processor. Please note: The BP 100 sound processor must have the DAI program activated in order for the telecoil to funtion.

What about wireless FM capability? All sound processors are compatible with wireless FM. The Intenso requires the use of the Phonak Microlink MLx-i Baha receiver which is a specially adapted receiver with all three pins the same size to fit into the Intenso sound processor. The BP 100 has a euro pin formation at the base of the processor. A regular Phonak MLx-i receiver can be used as well as other manufacturers receivers such as the Oticon Amigo receiver. Please contact our office directly if you have any questions about FM compatibility and what is involved in making it work. Union Hearing Aid Center has been fitting FM systems for decades.

Phonak MLX-i receiver euro pin

Phonak Baha MLx-i receiver

Oticon Amigo receiver euro pin

General Information about Baha® Sound Processors

• Batteries: Batteries typically last approximately 200 hours. The life of the battery depends heavily on the volume setting, internal program and the sound level in the environment. The battery should be removed from the processor if not in use.
• Repairs: Minor problems with your processor can often be resolved at home. Always contact your audiologist or service provider before attempting to repair or troubleshoot the processor. The patient user manual provided from the manufacturer is also a very good source for troubleshooting. If you are unable to solve the problem you are advised to contact you Baha® authorized dispenser to arrange for repair or replacement of the device. "Loaner" devices may also be arranged if available.
• Security control instructions (for example at airports): you must make security aware you have undergone surgery and you have a titanium implant(s) placed in your head that can not be removed. The Baha® sound processor can be removed before passing through a metal detector unit. Once removed the abutment will be exposed and this can not be removed. There is an information card available through Cochlear Canada Inc. that can be presented to security when travelling. This card has all of this information printed on it.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Baha® sound processors: As long as the Baha® sound processor is removed for the MRI procedure, a patient fitted with the Baha system (includes also a titanium implant and abutment) may be exposed to an MRI examination without any risk. The resulting artifacts are minor. This information is available in card version for presentation to the MRI technician through Cochlear Canada Inc.
• Warranty: Your Baha® processing unit comes with a 2 year warranty starting from the earliest date of either the first fit date or 3 months after the date shipped by Cochlear Canada Inc. Accessories are covered for 90 days.

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term CareAssistive Devices Program Funding Policy and Contributions for  Baha® Sound Processors

• For eligible applicants who require a replacement sound processor, ADP will contribute 75% up to a maximum of $2625. For eligible applicants who require a replacement sound processor with abutment, ADP contributes 75% up to a maximum of $3366.75. The applicant pays the vendor the difference between the total cost of the Baha® sound processor and the ADP funding contribution.
• For eligible applicants who are receiving benefits from any one of the following: Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD); Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP); or Ontario Works (OW), at the time the sound processor is authorized, ADP will contribute 100% up to a maximum of $3500 towards the sound processor or 100% up to a maximum of $4489 toward the sound processor with abutment. The balance is usually paid by the benefit source.
• Eligibility is determined by the prescribing audiologist.

Baha® Centres in Ontario

• For Adults:
  Sunnybrook Hospital (Toronto)
  Markham-Stouffville Hospital (Markham)
  Ottawa Civic Hospital (Ottawa)
• For Pediatrics:
  The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto)
  Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario CHEO (Ottawa)
• For Replacement Sound Processors and service :
  Union Hearing Aid Centre Limited (Toronto)
  710-123 Edward Street Toronto,
  ON M5G 1E2
  Phone: 416-348-8913
  Toll free: 1-866-269-8880
  Email: info@uhac.ca
• For all other enquiries you may contact:
  Cochlear Canada Inc.
  2500-120 Adelaide Street West Toronto, ON
  Phone: 416-972-5082
  Fax: 416-972-5083
  Email: cbukowski@cochlear.com