Hearing aids; earwax extraction; medications (antibiotics for infections and antihistamines for allergies); cochlear implants; hearing systems anchored to bones. Hearing loss is a common problem that often develops with age or is due to repeated exposure to loud noises. A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a small device that attaches to the bone behind the ear. The device transmits sound vibrations directly to the inner ear through the skull, bypassing the middle ear.
BAHAs are often used by people with middle ear problems or deafness in one ear. Because surgery is required to implant any of these devices, many hearing specialists believe that the benefits may not outweigh the risks.
