UK and Ireland experience of bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) in individuals with Down syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the indications, surgical techniques and post-operative problems seen in children with Down syndrome fitted with bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA).


METHODS
A postal survey of all registered United Kingdom and Ireland BAHA centres.


RESULTS
There was a 98% response rate to the survey. Eighty-one centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland undertake BAHA surgery. Eighteen centres were identified to have undertaken BAHA surgery on individuals with Down syndrome. A total of 43 individuals were implanted. Twenty-four cases were under the age of 16. Soft tissue complications were encountered in 21 patients (49%). Osseointegration failures were encountered in four cases (9%). There was a high level of satisfaction with the BAHA system amongst patients, parents and carers.


CONCLUSIONS
BAHA is a valuable method of hearing amplification in children with Down syndrome. It should be considered not as a primary method of amplification, but in the overall management of individuals with Down syndrome after conventional hearing aids and/or ventilation tubes have been considered or already failed. The survey shows a high patient and carer satisfaction with the system, despite short term early soft tissue complications.
Sheehan
Patrick Z
PZ
ENT Clinic for Children with Down Syndrome, Department of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Manchester Children's University Hospitals, Charlestown Rd., Manchester M9 7AA, UK. Patrick.Sheehan@manchester.ac.uk
Hans
Paul S
PS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000150:complications; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006113:United Kingdom