Bone anchored hearing aids: a preliminary assessment of the impact on outpatients and cost when rehabilitating hearing in chronic suppurative otitis media.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the difference in ENT and Audiology visits, treatments dispensed and potential savings pre- and post-bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) insertion in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media exacerbated by behind the ear hearing aids.


METHODS
A retrospective pilot study.


METHODS
District General Hospital.


METHODS
All patients who had BAHA inserted from January 2001 to January 2006.


METHODS
Age, gender, number of visits per month, treatments per month dispensed from the ENT and Audiology Departments and direct and limited indirect medical costs pre- and post-BAHA insertion.


RESULTS
Twelve of 26 (46%) adult patients had BAHA inserted over the 5-year period for CSOM. The male to female ratio was 1 : 3 with a median age of 61 (range 29-81). The number of visits and treatments dispensed per month in the ENT Department fell from a mean of 0.42-0.33 (P < 0.08) and 0.22-0.14 (P < 0.02) respectfully. When the difference in medical cost was taken into account BAHA offered a potential saving of pound 627.80 per patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the initial acquisition of surgical equipment and BAHA sound processors is expensive, there is a reduction in the number of treatments and visits required for patients with chronic suppurative otitis media after BAHA is inserted leading to a reduction in average costs.
Watson
G J
GJ
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, North Manchester General Hospital, Crumpshall, UK.
Silva
S
S
Lawless
T
T
Harling
J L
JL
Sheehan
P Z
PZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010045:Outpatients; D006113:United Kingdom