Caring for Baha

To support the healing process and to avoid any complications, it is important to care for the Baha abutment and the skin surrounding it. Keeping the area clean and free of any skin debris, will help you make the most of your new Baha experience.

Dressing
It is important to care for the Baha abutment to help avoid any complications with the surrounding tissue. A surgical dressing needs to be worn for about two weeks, and will need to be changed during this time. The initial bandage is to provide pressure to the area and it will be removed the day after surgery. Take care not to move or adjust it before this time. Five to six days later, the area should be cleaned and the dressing replaced. It is advisable to wash your hair very well the morning of the dressing change and to let the dressing become thoroughly wet so that it is easier to remove. The dressing and stitches will be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery.

Cleaning
Once the dressing has been removed and the abutment is exposed, you must clean the skin around the abutment every few days, as debris may build up. It’s best to do this while you are washing your hair. Shampoo and warm water will help to soften any skin debris that may have built up around the base of the abutment as a result of healing.

For the first few weeks you may use Baby Wipes to keep the area clean until you are able to gently brush the area with the soft cleaning brush. Aim the bristles against the side of the abutment, not at the skin as care must be taken not to brush the skin too harshly. All skin debris and build-up from the healing process must be removed. Build-up may also occur inside the abutment itself, so you need to clean inside as well as around it. Any type of soap or shampoo can be used, but antibacterial soap is recommended.

After cleaning, gently dry the area around the abutment with a clean towel or Baby Wipe. Do not allow your hair to wrap itself around the abutment. If you use a hairdryer, do not keep the hot air on the abutment for too long. Remember to keep the soft brush clean.

If you have persistent soreness or inflammation around the abutment, contact your doctor.

Accessories included with your sound processor

You will receive an abutment cover with your sound processor that can be attached when the processor is not being worn, or for activities such as swimming. This will keep the inside of the abutment clean. Simply press the cover on to the abutment to keep it in position.

It is also recommended, especially when you first wear your Baha sound processor, to attach the safety line. This will stop it from getting lost if you inadvertently knock it off. The safety line is attached by simply putting some thread through the loop on the sound processor, revealed when you open the battery door, and safely pinning it to your collar or shirt. The sound processor should always be removed for contact sports. The area can be protected with a sweatband if needed.

How to connect and disconnect the sound processor

An abutment snap is mounted to the sound processor. It is designed to snap into the abutment and hold the sound processor securely in place.

Connecting
Hold the sound processor so that the abutment snap is accessible and move any hair away from the abutment. Tilt the unit as you carefully push it in and it will attach to the abutment. Do not push the sound processor straight in.

Disconnecting
Use the correct tilt technique, by tilting the sound processor slightly in any direction.  This will release it from the abutment. Do not pull the sound processor straight out

Batteries

Type 13 batteries should be used. They can easily be replaced and you can usually tell when a new one is needed as the sound quality will change. The battery door swings open for easy battery replacement. The sound processor can be checked by turning up the volume and blowing into the microphone – you should be able to feel the vibration of the sound processor. Always make sure that the battery door clicks back into the closed position.    

Battery life
Battery life begins decreasing as soon as the plastic strip is removed exposing it to air, even if the battery is not in use.   To maximise battery life, switch off the sound processor when not in use. Battery life varies depending on volume setting, the sound environment and the program setting. Battery life will decrease significantly when using the Baha sound processor with a connected FM receiver if the FM receiver uses the sound processor as its power source. Using powerful batteries is particularly important when high current consumption is common. The batteries included with the sound processor reflect our latest battery recommendation. Battery function can be related to a number of problems including: no sound, intermittent sound and crackling/buzzing. Thus, when encountering problems one of the first things one can do is to try changing the battery.

Note: Always follow local regulations for battery disposal.