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Hearing Aids
Hearing Aids
Learn about what microtia and atresia are, the impact they have on one’s life, and the common courses of action for someone with these conditions.
What are Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are a lifeline for individuals facing hearing challenges, providing a heightened sense of auditory awareness that can significantly improve quality of life. By enhancing sound clarity and volume, they enable better communication, foster social engagement, and allow for a fuller, more connected experience in day-to-day interactions. For those with conditions like microtia and atresia, which specifically impact the ear’s external structure and the ear canal, the appropriate selection of hearing aids becomes crucial in bridging these anatomical gaps.
There are various types of hearing aids, such as behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA). The choice generally depends on individual needs, lifestyle considerations, and anatomical specifics. For people with microtia and atresia, bone-anchored hearing aids and softband BAHAs are most commonly recommended. These specialized aids effectively bypass the challenges posed by the external ear and ear canal, delivering sound directly to the functioning inner ear.
Consulting an audiologist to understand your unique hearing requirements will guide you toward the most effective hearing aid solution for your condition, but below are the summaries of each to give you an idea.
Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs)
Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs) are a specialized type of hearing device particularly suited for people with conductive hearing loss, which is often the case for individuals with microtia and atresia. Unlike traditional hearing aids that amplify sound through the ear canal, BAHAs bypass the external and middle ear altogether. They do this by utilizing a titanium implant that is surgically anchored to the skull bone behind the ear. Because BAHAs go around the affected parts of the ear, they offer a significantly improved auditory experience for those dealing with the challenges of microtia and atresia. They are often recommended for children as young as 5 years old.
Cochlear Implants: A Surgical Solution
Cochlear implants serve as another viable treatment option, particularly beneficial for those with severe hearing loss. Unlike traditional hearing aids and BAHAs, which amplify sound, cochlear implants allow individuals to perceive sound in a different way, via an implant. The device consists of an external portion that captures sound and an internal component that’s surgically implanted under the skin. For children and adults with microtia and atresia who have significant hearing impairment in both ears, cochlear implants may offer the opportunity for clearer, more natural sound perception. It’s often recommended for individuals whose hearing cannot be adequately improved with other forms of aids, and can be used by children as young as 12 months old.
Bone Conduction Headbands: A Non-Invasive Option
Bone Conduction Headbands serve as a non-invasive hearing solution, particularly beneficial for young children not yet eligible for surgical interventions and adults who may be medically unable to undergo surgery. The headbands utilize a special vibrator placed on the skull bone behind the affected ear to capture sound and convert it into vibrations. These vibrations are then directly transmitted to the inner ear, effectively bypassing the missing or underdeveloped external ear and ear canal. This provides a functional form of hearing that can be especially crucial in early developmental stages for language acquisition and social interaction. Bone conduction headbands also offer a temporary but impactful solution for those wishing to trial this form of hearing aid before committing to a more permanent method.
