A BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid) is most appropriately indicated in which of the following clinical scenarios?

• A Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with word recognition score of 40%
• B Bilateral profound SNHL with absent cochlear nerves
• C Single-sided deafness with contralateral normal hearing ✓
• D Mixed hearing loss with active chronic otitis media and tympanic perforation

Explanation

BAHA is particularly indicated for single-sided deafness (SSD) where it provides CROS-equivalent benefit by transmitting sound from the deaf ear side via bone conduction to the normal cochlea on the opposite side. For bilateral profound SNHL with absent cochlear nerves, BAHA cannot help as the cochlea is non-functional and ABI would be considered. Active CSOM is a contraindication to fixture placement in the mastoid. Bilateral severe SNHL with poor word recognition score is an indication for cochlear implant rather than BAHA.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.