A Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) implant is placed in a 45-year-old patient with bilateral chronic otitis media and conductive hearing loss who cannot use conventional hearing aids. The optimal time interval between fixture placement and loading of the sound processor is typically:
- A 1 week
- B 2 weeks
- C 3 months ✓
- D 6 months
Correct answer: C. 3 months
Explanation
After BAHA fixture placement, osseointegration requires approximately 3 months before the sound processor can be loaded. This waiting period allows bone to integrate with the titanium implant. Earlier loading risks fixture failure due to inadequate osseointegration. Some newer protocols with immediate loading exist but 3 months remains the standard convention.
Reference: Cummings Otolaryngology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.