I never realized or even really thought about different technologies that are out there these days that are changing people’s lives. So when Little A was born with tiny ears (microtia) and no opening to his ear canals, I just thought we were going down the road with a child who is deaf and I was ready to learn ASL. Within hours, though, a member of the hospital’s craniofacial team was using the acronym BAHA and telling us Little A will have a chance to hear within a couple of months. At first I had no idea what they were talking about—what is a BAHA? What do they look like? How do they work? I quickly started to research on google and Pinterest. BAHA stands for bone-anchored hearing aids. As young children the processor part of the hearing aid snaps onto a special headband. The headband holds the BAHAs tight against the bone. When they are older if BAHAs are their only option to hear it can be implanted onto their head. My simple understanding of how BAHAs work is that they vibrate the sounds against the bones (process of bone conduction) which then sends signals to the inner ear, nerves and ultimately the brain. These days the processors are pretty small rectangles compared to what they have been. The sound processors and soft bands come in a variety of colors. For girls, I have seen on Pinterest people add flowers or bows to the soft bands and it just looks like a regular headband. For boys, I guess they could wear a hat. The light brown I picked out for Little A without even seeing it first, happens to blend with his hair so well. I have bought a couple of baseball hats and made a winter hat for Little A, but I rarely use the hats to hide his BAHA softband. I don’t want him to think he HAS to cover it up when he’s old enough to make that decision—just want him to know that he has the option. I am not embarrassed and if someone stares or asks, I’d gladly tell them that thanks to these devices sticking out of the side of his head, he can hear! Isn’t technology amazing!?! Another cool thing about technology is these hearing aids come with a wireless microphone. We use it, especially in crowded places like restaurants, so Little A can hear 1 person clearly over everything else that might just sound like noise. When he is older he won’t need other headphones because his BAHAs will connect to his phone with Bluetooth.
Little A first received his BAHAs (thanks to the help of E.I) in October when he was 5 months old. That audiology appointment was exciting and nerve wracking. We couldn’t wait to see his reaction to hearing for the first time. We were quiet when the audiologist first put them on (after showing and telling us about them). Then with Little A on my lap and my husband’s phone camera ready to record, I said “Hi baby, it’s mama.” At first, Little A sat quiet, probably not sure about what was happening. I spoke some more and then his eyes welled up and tears came rolling down his cheeks. It was very overwhelming for our little guy. We finished up with the audiologist and took Little A home, with him listening to his dada narrate the drive home. We gave Little A a break, since it was time for a nap anyway. The 2nd time we put them on he cried as well. It was a bit heart breaking, but I just kept in mind he will get used to them. One thing that was tough was balancing the amount of time he wore the BAHAs with everything else ( feeding, sleeping, tummy time). Slowly we figured it all out and it helped as he got older. As Little A was awake e and sitting up more , he wears the BAHAs more. Also, if he is in his high chair or car seat where more feedback is likely, we just center one BAHA processor on his head. One is better than one. Only recently, has Little A tried to pull the soft and off and more out of curiosity. He also likes to touch the sound processor with his hand or lean it against the side of his high chair—we think he likes the sound of the feedback. At least then we know he isn’t bothered by the sound when we are inter mood for a quick snuggle and can’t help but hold him tight while his BAHAs buzz with feedback.
In just a few months the BAHAs have made a big difference for Little A. He loves looking at and listening to people talk. He really loves playing and hearing the instruments he got for Hanukkah or hearing a squeak other toys make. Little A is even starting to make his own sounds and babblings. I am so thankful for this technology and how much it has helped my little boy!
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| Litte A wearing his BAHAs while standing |
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| The bluetooth mini mircophone. Connects to the BAHAs to amplifly the speech from person wearing it |
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| The BAHA up close. The little door that is open is where the battery goes. The tan Circle is that part that vibrates and connects into the softband. |
