A Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) achieves sound amplification through which mechanism?

• A Air conduction via an in-the-ear receiver
• B Electromagnetic stimulation of the round window membrane
• C Piezoelectric coupling to the malleus handle through the tympanic membrane
• D Direct osseointegrated titanium implant transmitting vibrations through skull bone to cochlea ✓

Explanation

BAHA uses an osseointegrated titanium fixture implanted in the temporal bone. The external sound processor converts sound into vibrations transmitted through the titanium implant directly to the skull bone and thence to the cochlea via bone conduction. This bypasses the external and middle ear entirely, making it ideal for conductive/mixed hearing losses and single-sided deafness. Options A and D describe conventional hearing aids; C describes the Vibrant Soundbridge middle ear implant.

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.