Verification of Baha Fitting for Single-Sided Deafness: How, What, Where and Why Do We Measure?

ABSTRACT

Verification is one of the most significant responsibilities for a rehabilitative audiologist. Historically, the definition and procedures used to determine proper device function and aided benefit has varied for audiology. Verification is an essential component in the process of fitting a bone-anchored hearing aid (Baha) for unilateral hearing loss (UHL). UHL will be preferred to the more contemporary term of single-sided deafness and defined as one ear that is unaidable and the other ear having normal hearing sensitivity (i.e., 20 dB hearing level or better from 500 to 3000 Hz). This article will investigate contemporary objective Baha verification measures available to the rehabilitative audiologist, specifically evaluating the following: How can audiologists verify the performance of the Baha? What should be verified? Where should the measurement take place? Why is it necessary to verify?

KEYWORDS

Baha - verification - bone conduction - real-ear measurement - electroacoustic analysis

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