A patient being evaluated for a bone-anchored hearing aid has conductive hearing loss. What is the approximate upper limit of average bone conduction threshold beyond which BAHA benefit falls off?

• A 25 dB HL
• B 35 dB HL
• C 45 dB HL ✓
• D 65 dB HL

Explanation

Conventional percutaneous BAHAs transmit sound efficiently through skull bone up to roughly 45 dB HL of bone conduction loss; beyond this the amplified signal saturates and speech discrimination deteriorates. Newer power devices extend this somewhat, but 45 dB remains the standard teaching cutoff in exams. A 65 dB cutoff applies to cochlear implant candidacy discussions, not bone conduction devices.

Reference: Scott-Brown's Essential Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.