Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Treatment in India

Ishaan Smith, a 15-year-old high school...

Ishaan Smith, a 15-year-old high school sophomore and avid soccer player, was born with microtia and atresia of his right ear, resulting in significant conductive hearing loss on that side. He struggled in noisy classrooms, found group conversations frustrating, and felt self-conscious about his ear's appearance, often wearing his hair long to cover it. His ENT, Dr. Chen, explained that Ishaan was an excellent candidate for a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) as it would bypass his underdeveloped outer and middle ear, using bone conduction to send sound directly to his inner ear. The procedure involved placing a small titanium implant behind his non-functioning ear under general anesthesia. The initial recovery involved some tenderness and keeping the site dry for a few weeks. After the abutment healed and the sound processor was attached, Ishaan's world opened up. He could hear his coach's instructions on the field and participate fully in class discussions. Emotionally, he transformed from a withdrawn teenager who dreaded social situations into a confident young man. The BAHA not only improved his hearing but allowed him to embrace his appearance, finally getting the short haircut he'd always wanted.