Utilization of bone-anchored hearing aids in children

Objective: Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) are indicated for use in children with bilateral microtia or chronic suppurative otitis media, which precludes the use of conventional hearing aids. Methods: Nineteen consecutive children using BAHAs were reviewed retrospectively. Outcome measures included the long-term stability of BAHAs, frequency of adverse dermatological reactions at the implant site, and audiologic thresholds. Results: Osseointegration was achieved in 95% of patients. One patient lost the implant fixture secondary to direct head trauma. Site revisions were required for only two patients secondary to soft-tissue overgrowth at the abutment site. There were no differences between pre-implantation and post-implantation bone or air conduction thresholds, but there was a statistical improvement in the post-implantation aided thresholds. Conclusions: Utilization of paediatric BAHAs, in a distinct population, is a reliable and successful method for audiologic rehabilitation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.