Six Months Later: BAHA Surgery Update and Thoughts (2019)

[@savannahhoosier5276]

I'm so happy for you. I have 2 BAHA's one on both sides. I got mine when I was 12 and 16 I am 39 now. These hearing aids changed my life. I totally relate to everything you said in this video. It's amazing technology. Thank you for making this video.

[@MakennaJean]

I just now saw this comment! It is so cool to hear from other people with these devices! I have been indecisive about if I will do a second or just stick with the one on my right side. Did you notice a big difference? When wearing both, are you able to pick up on the direction the noise comes from? With only one, I (of course) only hear everything on my right side, and It would be amazing to know which direction a noise is coming from... but I don't know if there would be any other benefits that I am not thinking of!

[@mickduke5812]

thank you for your real life experience using and living with your baha,i'm booked around covid restrictions at Adenbrookes hospital in UK for baha surgery following a cholesteatoma procedure,it was so good to get a clearer view of the ups and downs of a baha-absolutely love Chuck:-)

[@MakennaJean]

I just saw this comment, but if you have any questions feel free to ask! I am very excited for you! I also battle with Cholesteatomas and know the struggle! The BAHA was life changing for me and I hope it is for you as well❤

[@sophiabrown6496]

Well done for this. I'm in UK, and deafblind, have bilateral BAHA devices, love them, changed my life, i'm glad its changed yours too. Well done xxx

[@MakennaJean]

Glad you love them too!

[@ravenhardy12]

I just got my BAHA implant two months ago can't wait to get the sound processor and hear well again. thanks for making this video I am kind of nervous about taking it off and on. Big hugs and blessings to you

[@MakennaJean]

How is it going??? It's not too bad to get on and off.... Just weird at first😅

[@siobhanbreithuin9728]

These are great thanks I have a BAHA and it was a joy to get sound on both sides for the first time in 10 years.

[@terrijohnson9395]

Wish we had found this before my husband’s surgery. Yes, it has been life-changing for both of us!

[@MakennaJean]

I have a few BAHA related videos, but also just got the Osia 2 implant on my other side!

[@rm55555]

Interesting to hear all of the positive experiences on this. Mine unfortunately was much different. - I had one of these fitted when I was about 8 years old. One of my biggest regrets. The titanium abutment fell out within a couple years leaving me with a dent in my head. Touching or putting pressure on that area even 20+ years later often results in earaches that can last hours. I remember when I had the Baha, it felt like it was grating against my skull when I fitted or removed it. It was an awful sensation that makes me cringe even to this day. The sound quality was also very poor compared to normal air conduction based hearing aids, very tinny although in my case much louder than a conventional HA. However, the latter of which provides more "natural" sound quality even if I find myself asking people to repeat themselves more often. Although on paper a Baha would be better for me, I like the fact that when I remove my aid, I no longer have a foreign object attached to my head. Can't put a price on that. My advice to anyone would be to use normal air conduction hearing aid unless it is not an option. - Appreciate this may seem a little negative but I thought some may be interested to read a different perspective.

[@MakennaJean]

I'm sorry you had this experience, but I'd imagine they have drastically improved in the last 20+ years. I have ZERO discomfort or trouble with the implant or taking it on/off or wearing it all day every day. The sound is incredible natural, loud, and clear. Many people, like myself, cannot use a normal hearing aid. The Bone Anchored Aid was my only hope. I'm sorry, but you can't judge a current device based on an experience you had two decades ago. These sorts of things are always improving. I would recommend this device to anyone in my situation without hesitation. It has changed my life.

[@thewholedeel6238]

What aid do you use?

[@MakennaJean]

@@thewholedeel6238 I use a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA)

[@sunnystephens]

I got both of my Baha's when I was third grade and I am 25 and a senior in college. I looking forward to getting the Baha 6 in a couple weeks. It been a struggle and a half to get them . But I love my Bahas I use to get so many ear infections now I do not. I would said another pro is that you can get the abutment switch out in the doctor office which is nice because I had to because my head grew since the third grade and my Baha kept coming off. However on one side of my head the screw was narrow strip and I had to go under so they can take that one abutment out and put the new in.

[@sandybuttau731]

Hi thank you for sharing your experience. I am.also deaf and had my implant in December 2021. Still to heal before getting my processor. Very excited

[@MakennaJean]

I hope all went well!

[@sevenravens]

Had surgery 5 days ago for a Ponto 5. I was surprised how little discomfort I experienced. The day after I had zero pain or discomfort unless I actually touched the area around the abutment. Now the 8-12 weeks to get my processor. My doctor placed mine below where the hat sits at my request.

[@MakennaJean]

I now traded by BAHA for the OSIA! How do you like your Ponto? Most recent q&a: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5WWk39poah9i80si=E4HG6thhhH_Xbn9z

[@thewholedeel6238]

In another video, you say that you can hear a slight delay of your own voice. Did that ever go away? I love your videos. I do request future videos not have low music during the whole video. As a SSD person, it drives me crazy to strain to hear what you are saying. 🤪

[@MakennaJean]

It does not go away, but I've gotten used to it. It is very slight

[@barel1384]

Has having the baha made it easier to talk? One thing I struggle with is not hearing myself clearly, and mumbling as a result. Your speech is very clear!

[@MakennaJean]

Yes it has. You can definitely hear yourself with the baha! However... my speech is clear because I did not go deaf until I was about 9, so I had already learned how to speak. I think that is why my speech is 'normal'

[@natlopz]

Interesting 🤔… thanks for the inside on this. I have a son, he has severe hearing loss in his left ear- and he is always mumbling!!! And he can’t explain why of his behavior-

[@barel1384]

@@natlopz it could definitely be because of not being able to hear his voice clearly. It can make speaking an effort and affect confidence. It could also be because to him it sounds like everyone else is mumbling

[@janbaty1391]

Thank you for all the information that you have talked about in this video. My question is do you have to cover the connector hole when you wash your hair? I loss my hearing in my right ear due to an acoustic neuroma 3 years ago.

[@MakennaJean]

I do not have to cover it when I wash my hair! It is just a little metal screw, so it can get wet :)

[@dwayneflorence4482]

I love mine. I’ve had it done 2011. But I’m currently dealing with an infection around the titanium abutment. Seems like my skin around the abutment has a mind of its own after wearing this thing for 10 years. Going back to the dr Monday, ugh.

[@MakennaJean]

Hopefully the doctors are able to help asap!!

[@highestsprings]

Thank you for this. I am in two minds about the surgery. I am using a Baha on a band, it works well if not very practical. Having had poor surgery in the past my biggest concern is the scar from the abutment. Any feedback on that would be useful, does the skin grow back, do you get skin irritation at the site still etc? My hearing loss does mean that I struggle to use conventional aids for long periods, so a bit at a cross roads really.

[@MakennaJean]

My abutment has now been removed. Skin grows back and I have no irritation in that spot. The scar is tiny and not noticable, smaller than a dime.

[@MakennaJean]

The scar is much larger for implanting a cochlear like an Osia if scars are your concern...

[@highestsprings]

@@MakennaJean why did you remove it? Yes but when removed they will still leave a titanium screw in the skull no?

[@MakennaJean]

@@highestsprings got a new implant (the Osia 2) so the titanium screw for BAHA was removed since I no longer use it

[@JimBarrLive]

Thank you for doing these videos and for kind of putting yourself "out there". I'm researching this for myself and there seems to be a real lack of reviews from people who have actually had this surgery so THANK YOU! These are really basic/beginner questions and I know my Doctor could answer most of them, but I would like to hear from you. (get it? hear from... I specialize in good Dad jokes). 1) I noticed you use cotton, is this required for the Baha? or is it because of the tumors or something else? 2) Did you have local anesthesia or general? not sure I could stand feeling/hearing my skull being drilled - was this freaky? 3) Did your insurance pay for the Baha? and finally: 4) In one of your previous videos, I think I heard you say there is an iPhone app? What does it actually do? Sorry I had so many questions! If you cannot answer them all, I understand! Thanks again.

[@MakennaJean]

Hello thanks for your comment! I just got back into the country last night from a trip abroad and life is a little crazy! In a few days, I will upload a quick Q&A style video answering the questions you have, along with a few others that I have been asked💕

[@fookutube501]

I'm getting my BAHA next week,but its only a demo, while i wait for my order to come in.I was told it cost 13k,but lucky for me the Government pay for it.I can't wait.I'm deaf in my left and 30% in my right..

[@MakennaJean]

I am so excited for you!!

[@MakennaJean]

I have other baha related videos if you're interested in watching them too😊

[@thedevil3501]

Hey can you share your experience with baha

[@MakennaJean]

What would you like to know?

[@thedevil3501]

@@MakennaJean can I have your Instagram I'd I want to ask 10to15 questions.

[@stevegill9704]

I have the magnetic Baha , I think on hindsight I should have got the pin baha as my friend has the pin it's much better or seems better , im bald I couldn't bare the thought of the pin been stuck out my head especially been bald , people stare I get embarrassed, but I can wear a hat 🧢 with the fist samba , but my upgrade to samba 2 just like you it screeches a whistles if a wear a hat, I still struggle with noise direction and people ho talk really low , very painful in winter too , love your videos im from the UK 🇬🇧

[@MakennaJean]

After having both, I 100% recommend magnetic over the snap! Most recent q&a: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5WWk39poah9i80si=E4HG6thhhH_Xbn9z

[@manda_panda3095]

I have one I’m completely deaf without my hearing aids. The only problems I’m having with the abutment hurting and now skin is growing around it I’ve had pain since I’ve had the surgery to be honest so me personally I regret it. I’ve had the baha for 2 years now.

[@MakennaJean]

Weird that you are having pain! Have you had a scan to make sure it is still in place properly?? Because it definitely shouldn't be hurting you. & regarding the skin growing... Did you wear the little cap that the BAHA kit gives you when you were not wearing the BAHA?? Wearing that prevents the skin from growing over it & I wear it anytime I do not have my BAHA on (so basically when sleeping) Sorry you had a bad experience! It has been wonderful for me thus far!

[@tonyquinlan7341]

i wonder would you have any problems with hats and infections around implant etc with the under skin bone implant .i am into water sports so this might suit me better as i wear a hood would like to get your opinion on this also have a very sensitive scalp to certain shampoos.Thanks TONY.

[@MakennaJean]

I do have to cut a little arch in hats where my baha sits. Or a little hold in snow caps since they go all the was down to me ears. But it's easy to make it work! It does occasionally get irritated at the site of the implant , but some topical antibiotic cream always fixes it quickly! This hearing air can not get wet! But I think the newer versions can

[@tonyquinlan7341]

@@MakennaJean Thanks so much,

[@debbielockwood4384]

Makenna how are you doing today with your BAHA?

[@MakennaJean]

Just had surgery yesterday to get my second Osia. (No longer have the BAHA) Vlogging the surgery & recovery process for anyone considering this surgery!!! It'll hopefully be up by Sunday ❤️

[@biffen8132]

I just got my baha implantat, can you show and describe how you clean it? 😂

[@MakennaJean]

I just posted my 1.5 year update, but I don't do anything special to clean it, it gets cleaned when I wash my hair😊

[@MakennaJean]

To clarify: the snap part gets cleaned when I wash my hair, the actually baha cannot get wet

[@biffen8132]

@@MakennaJean okey thanks, so the implantat itself is waterproof?

[@MakennaJean]

@@biffen8132 correct! The screw (or magnetic) part is waterproof. The box that let's you hear is not & comes off

[@Libertad-e5h]

Do you have headaches with the implant?. I would like to ask you if you can understand words or just noises with your implant?

[@MakennaJean]

I already get headaches due to the tumors in my ears, but they have not gotten any worse due to the implant. And yes, I can understand words and hear like a normal hearing aid would

[@Libertad-e5h]

@@MakennaJean did you were diagnosed with cholesteatoma?. And the other questions my regular aid give 25 decibels of earnings, does a bone implant will give me more?

[@MakennaJean]

@@Libertad-e5h yeah, i have reoccuring claustiotomas in both ears. The BAHA works kind of differently for each person, so you would have to talk to your doctor

[@Libertad-e5h]

@@MakennaJean I do prefer ask you, I do not trust doctors, I been I 3 different doctors and I been diagnosed 3 different things, first cholesteatoma, then tympanosclerosis and then glue ear. I rather know the opinion of people like you that know sometimes more than a doctor who does not have hearing loss or hearing aids.

[@MakennaJean]

@@Libertad-e5h I am not a doctor. I don't know how your body would react to the baha. Find a doctor you trust

[@ronunderwood8099]

My hearing loss is sensorineural hearing loss so a BAHA wouldn't work for me. I have a cochlear implant in my deaf ear and hearing aid in my other. I hope things are still going well for you.

[@MakennaJean]

They are! I have a 1.5 year update on my channel if you're interested :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2mcoHqLjtZprNk

[@barbaracooper6807]

You might be a little allergic to the metal maybe why it's not healing

[@Christinathewhitestar]

What did you have, where you born deaf?

[@MakennaJean]

No. I started losing my hearing when I was around 10 due to tumors in my ears

[@Christinathewhitestar]

@@MakennaJean really same here. what type of tumour was it? Mine was a vistibular schwannoma.

[@MakennaJean]

@@Christinathewhitestar I have reoccurring cholesteatomas in both ears

[@Laughingtackle]

How did you go deaf sweetheart

[@MakennaJean]

I started losing my hearing in elementary school due to tumors in my ears!