Bone Conduction
by Michaela Coon

6 things to remember about the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor

May 17, 2021
Share

The Cochlear™ Baha® 6 Max Sound Processor is designed to improve hearing outcomes for people with SSD (single-sided deafness), conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Here’s what the Baha 6 Max offers:

  1. A premium-power sound processor: With a fitting range of up to 55 dB sensorineural hearing level (SNHL) in the same small size as current 45 dB devices, the Baha 6 Max is the first of its kind: a premium-power bone conduction sound processor designed for powerful hearing performance.1
  2. Tuned for high frequencies. Research suggests that an extended bandwidth can improve recognition of high-frequency consonants in quiet and in noise.2,3 The Baha 6 Max has a new high-powered Xidium™ platform with a frequency range up to 9.85 kHz.**
  3. More connectivity: It’s also the first bone conduction sound processor to offer direct streaming from Apple® and Android™ devices* The new sound processor provides additional power in the smallest form and is designed to provide the most clear, rich and natural sound possible, reducing the need to choose between hearing performance and size.1,5 
  1. Even more discretion: The small size of the Baha 6 Max makes it a discreet solution for children and adults, and the new LowPro™ snap coupling even brings the device 2 mm closer to the head, so it sits closer to the head than other traditional bone conduction devices.4
  2. Dust and water protected: The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor has the highest dust and water-resistance with an IP68-rating.6,7‡
  3. Remote Care ready: Remote Care† gives you the flexibility to deliver quality care without your patients making a trip to the clinic – fitting into your patients’ lives and your schedule. Patients can conveniently access Remote Care through their compatible smartphone* at home, at work, or when they’re away.

For more information on bone conduction solutions, subscribe to Cochlear ProNews.

References:

  1. Hua H. Baha 6 Max fitting range. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1725632.
  2. Van Eeckhoutte M, Folkeard P, Glista D, Scollie S. Speech recognition, loudness, and preference with extended bandwidth hearing aids for adult hearing aid users. Int J Audiol. 2020 20;1-12.
  3. Snapp HA et al. Effects of extended high frequency bandwidth in osseointegrated bone conduction device users. Hearing Research. 2021 [In press]
  4. Land J. Comparison tech data Baha 6 Max, legacy and competition. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1762475.
  5. Hoffman J. Subjective evaluation of clear rich and natural sound. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1788013.
  6. Andersson H. Baha 6 Max IPx8 Test Report. RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Sweden. 2020; D1757477.
  7. Andersson H. Baha 6 Max IP6x Test Report. RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Sweden. 2020; D1757476.

In the United States and Canada, the placement of a bone-anchored implant is contraindicated in children below the age of 5.

*The Cochlear Baha 6 Max Sound Processor is compatible with Apple and Android devices. The Cochlear Baha Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility

**With the Baha Connect System.

‡The Cochlear Baha 6 Max Sound Processor, with battery compartment excluded, is dust and water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. Refer to the relevant user guide for more information. Tested by the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB.

† Clinic must be enrolled in Remote Care to participate.

Android, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Related Posts
man and woman looking in eyes

Baha Dermalock and Implant Stability

January 8, 2019

Baha

What is implant stability and why does it matter?

By Shawn Enter

Dating back to the 1950s, Swedish Professor P-I Branemark pioneered the study of titanium and its osseointegration qualities.  His research was advanced by Dr. Anders Tjellstrom’s work on bone conduction hearing implants.  Throughout the decades, titanium has served as the metal of choice for hearing implants.  Today, Cochlear offers the most advanced titanium implant in the Baha® 300 Series implant.  The BI300 implant boasts the TiOblast™ surface for faster/stronger osseointegration and secondary stability when compared to previous implants. It has small sized threads for optimal load distribution and a wider profile of 4.5mm to optimize strength of the system.  These attributes allow clinically proven long-term stability.1, 2 The chart below shows 5-year follow up data of primary and long-term strength of osseointegration with the Baha 300 Series implant. Baha implant stability

Whether a sound processor is actively loaded on a Baha Connect system or passively loaded on a Baha Attract system, your patients will benefit from the most advanced titanium bone conduction implant available; the Baha 300 Series implant.

The Importance of DermaLock™

By Kelly Crettol

Kelly Crettol

 

The Cochlear® Baha® Connect System is a well-proven percutaneous bone conduction implant system allowing direct, single-point sound transmission via a minimally invasive skin-penetrating abutment.

Conventional titanium abutments have been used for 40 years, but despite titanium’s well established ability to osseointegrate with bone, it does not integrate with the surrounding tissue. As a result, bone conduction implant surgery previously involved substantial soft tissue reduction to facilitate successful outcomes. Consequently, viable structures of the soft tissue were permanently removed affecting the healing capacity of the local immune system. The Cochlear® Baha® BA400 Abutment with DermaLock™ technology features a plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coating and concave design that promotes soft tissue adherence and stability.3 

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been shown to provide enhanced dermal adhesion, diminishing epidermal downgrowth and pocket formation, and thus allowing for preservation of the soft tissue during surgery. This technology helps preserve the hair and skin around the abutment which not only leads to improved aesthetics and reduced numbness, but also dramatically reduces surgery time and benefits healing through increased vascularization of soft tissue.4

Dermalock microscopic comparison

Download our Baha Connect and Attract Systems 2-pager to learn more about Baha Systems.

About our guest authors:

Shawn Enter, Regional Surgical Training Manager at Cochlear Americas

Shawn is responsible for training surgeons and OR staff in the Cochlear Implant, Baha and Vistafix product lines.  He also supports complicated surgical scenarios and assists in new product launches.  Shawn joined Cochlear as an Area Business Manager and has worked in the Surgical Specialist role over the last five years.  Prior to joining Cochlear in January of 2010, Shawn provided surgical training and support in the Orthopedic industry for DePuy Mitek and Stryker.

Kelly Crettol, Surgical Education Manager at Cochlear Americas

Previously, she was a RSTM for the West Region and has been with Cochlear since February 2016. In her new role, Kelly is responsible for the development and execution of Cochlear’s surgical and fellowship education programs which includes development of educational content, implementation, promotion and assessment of surgical education programs.  She is also responsible for the coordination and collaboration with both internal colleagues and professional partners, including KOLs.

Kelly has over twelve years of experience in pharmaceutical and medical devices sales from prior organizations. Kelly graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Psychology.

 

References:
  1. den Besten CA, Stalfors J, Wigren S, Blechert JI, Flynn M, Eeg-Olofsson M, Aggarwal R, Green K, Nelissen RC, Mylanus EA, Hol MK. Stability, Survival, and Tolerability of an Auditory Osseointegrated Implant for Bone Conduction Hearing: Long-Term Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Otol Neurotol. 2016;37(8):1077-1083.
  2. Sennerby L, Gottlow J, Rosengren A, Flynn M. An experimental evaluation of a new craniofacial implant using the rabbit tibia model: Part II. Biomechanical findings. Otol Neurotol. 2010;31(5):840-845.
  3. van Hoof M, Wigren S, Duimel H, Savelkoul PH, Flynn M, Stokroos RJ. Can the Hydroxyapatite-Coated Skin-Penetrating Abutment for Bone Conduction Hearing Implants Integrate with the Surrounding Skin? Front Surg. 2015;2:45.
  4. Iseri M, Orhan KS, Yariktas MH, Kara A, Durgut M, Ceylan DS, Guldiken Y, Keskin IG, Deger K. Surgical and audiological evaluation of the Baha BA400. J Laryngol Otol. 2015;129(1):32-37.
Computer

Finding Cochlear™ Baha® upgrade patients in Noah® 4

March 29, 2021

By Danielle Clark, Product Marketing Manager, Recipient Services

Our newest technology is designed to help your patients hear their best. Although you know there are patients that could benefit from upgrading to new technology, it may initially seem like a complicated process to identify them in order to start these discussions. However, Noah® 4 can serve as a helpful resource to quickly get a list of your upgrade eligible patients. The patient search function in Noah 4 can be used to identify patients who may be eligible for an upgrade.   

Baha patients

1. Click the Advanced search button in Noah 4 and ensure any prior search values are cleared, by using the ‘Clear’ button (see figure 1).

Fig. 1

2. Select a fitting end date that matches typical reimbursement requirements – typically five years is the time period for the “useful life” of a sound processor for many insurance providers. For example, to find patients with a sound processor that is five years old as of January 1, 2021, enter January 1, 2016 (01/01/2016) as the fitting end date to find all patients fitted before this date. (See figure 2).

Fig. 2

3. Leave the fitting start date blank, or enter a fitting start date to narrow down the search.

4. Select Cochlear as a manufacturer.

5. Click ‘Search.’

6. A list of Baha patients eligible for an upgrade will appear in the Noah patient browser.

To find more information about upgrading to share with your patients visit www.Cochlear.com/US/Upgrade.

“Noah” is a registered trademark of HIMSA II K/S in the USA. Outside the USA, “Noah” is a trademark of HIMSA II K/S.

Cochlear logo - white

©Cochlear Limited 2024. All rights reserved. ACE, Advance Off-Stylet, AOS, Ardium, AutoNRT, Autosensitivity, Baha, Baha SoftWear, BCDrive, Beam, Bring Back the Beat, Button, Carina, Cochlear, 科利耳, コクレア, 코클리어, Cochlear SoftWear, Contour, コントゥア, Contour Advance, Custom Sound, DermaLock, Freedom, Hear now. And always, Hugfit, Human Design, Hybrid, Invisible Hearing, Kanso, LowPro, MET, MP3000, myCochlear, mySmartSound, NRT, Nucleus, Osia, Outcome Focused Fitting, Off-Stylet, Piezo Power, Profile, Slimline, SmartSound, Softip, SoundArc, True Wireless, the elliptical logo, Vistafix, Whisper, WindShield and Xidium are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Cochlear group of companies. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

 

This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

 

Cochlear ProNews is monitored Monday through Friday, excluding some holidays. Questions and inquiries submitted over the weekends or holidays may see a delay in response. For immediate assistance please contact us directly. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other members of our Websites. Cochlear reserves the right, but has no obligation, to monitor disputes or communications between you and other members of our Websites. For a full list of Cochlear’s terms of use, click here.