Otorhinolaryngology in Minnesota

Implantable Hearing Aids/BAHA System

Mayo Clinic in Rochester can provide specialized implantable devices used in conjunction with a sound processor to enhance hearing when appropriate. Patients will be evaluated by an otologist (Ear physician) to determine medical candidacy for such a device and an audiologist to determine if the type and degree of hearing loss meet the necessary criteria.

The BAHA system consists of an implantable titanium rod, implanted behind your ear into your skull bone; an abutment (snap) that attaches to the rod and an external sound processor that snaps onto the abutment. Sound is picked up by the processor, transferred to the rod and stimulates your inner ear or hearing organ directly.

The BAHA system is designed for patients with chronic conductive or mixed hearing losses. It is also good for patients with single-sided deafness (complete hearing loss in one ear and normal or near normal hearing in the other ear). Our otologist will determine if you are a candidate for the procedure based on a medical evaluation. Our audiologists have a demonstration headband so you will be able to get an idea of the sound from the system.