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CNI Center for Hearing
Outreach & Support
Baha Assistance Program
While hearing aids are helpful for many individuals, there are some types of hearing loss for which conventional aids do not provide benefit. For some patients, conductive, mixed hearing loss or single-sided deafness may be helped with the Baha system, which uses bone as a pathway for sound, bypassing the outer and middle ear.
The Baha system is the only implanted treatment for hearing loss that works through direct bone conduction. It allows sound to be processed by the cochlea without involving the outer ear or ear canal, enabling those with specific types of hearing loss to benefit from a natural transmission of sound. Unlike hearing aids, the Baha system does not rely on amplification; and unlike cochlear implants, it does not utilize electronic impulses to stimulate the cochlea.
Unfortunately, this amazing technology comes at a high price - the average cost of the Baha system and surgical procedure is approximately $18,500 and not all insurance companies recognize the benefits or are able to provide coverage for the procedure. In addition, some patients may not have any health insurance at all and may not qualify for government assistance programs.
In early 2006, the CNI Center for Hearing established the Baha Assistance Program to help qualified, financially-challenged patients and their families obtain this life-enriching device. Through a cooperative effort of the CNI Center for Hearing, Cochlear Americas and a team of dedicated medical professionals, this program may be able to assist qualified candidates needing the Baha device. The Baha Assistance Program awards only the actual system itself (the internal and external components) - patients are still responsible for other costs associated with the procedure, such as physician, hospital, surgical, and audiological fees. The average out-of-pocket cost for candidates who receive a Baha device through the CNI Center for Hearing is approximately $10,000.
The supply of Baha devices for this program is limited. The CNI Center for Hearing will submit a request to the manufacturer for a device only if a completed application is approved by the Baha Assistance Program. Availability of the Baha device will then be determined at the discretion of the manufacturer.
Baha Assistance Program Eligibility Criteria
Application for the Baha Assistance Program
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