FOR PARENTS

The Proven Natural Pathway to Better Hearing for Your Child

A BONE CONDUCTION HEARING SOLUTION

Joshua, bilateral Baha user

Rerouting Sound–Naturally Everyone deserves a fulfilling, active lifestyle and your child is no different. For a child with hearing loss, life's journey starts with the right hearing solution. This guide gives you information about the Cochlear™ Baha® System — a unique hearing solution that reroutes sound — naturally. The Cochlear Baha System helps children hear to the best of their abilities, interact with the world around them, learn and grow.

Cochlear™ has been a leader in bone conduction hearing solutions for over 30 years. More than 77,000 people of all ages across the world enjoy better hearing and a richer life, thanks to our innovative products. The Cochlear Baha® System is a proven, clinically tested and documented hearing system. With a Baha Sound Processor and the support of loving parents and caring specialists, children can learn more about the world around them.

In cases where there are complications with the outer or middle ear, or when one ear does not function, hearing care professionals agree that a Baha bone conduction system is a more effective solution than conventional air conduction hearing aids.1 Instead of trying to send sound through the damaged area, the Baha System reroutes it directly through the skull bone, naturally stimulating the inner ear.

The process involved in getting a Baha for your child has been created to be as simple and non-intrusive as possible. And the outcome? The gift of a richer childhood — naturally.

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Joshua, bilateral Baha user

Cochlear Baha 3 Power Sound Processor (BP110) — actual size

Cochlear Baha 3 Sound Processor (BP100) — actual size

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We have five senses, all of which help us to experience the world around us. We are born ready to receive information through these senses. The more information the brain receives, the better we can understand and participate in the surrounding world.

We experience hearing naturally in two ways: via air conduction and bone conduction.

Air Conduction hearing devices amplify sound waves and direct them from the outer ear through the middle ear to the inner ear.

Bone Conduction devices send the sound vibrations directly to the inner ear through your child’s skull bone.

Baha enables your child to hear sound through bone conduction directly to the inner ear, bypassing any hearing problems your child may have in their outer or middle ear.

With a Baha, your child may:• Hear, understand and participate more at school.

• Feel more in touch with their surroundings, friends, teachers and family.

• Feel more safe, confident and aware.

• Enjoy easier personal and academic development.

• Interact with other kids more easily.

• Avoid soreness and discomfort from large earmolds.

• Be active without having to worry about excessive feedback.

Baha® – Simply a Better Hearing Solution for Children

Julian, Baha Softband user

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How a Child’s Hearing DevelopsThese communication milestones outline the behaviors that may be expected of a child at various stages of development. Learning processes are, however, individual and can vary several months from one child to another. Children with a hearing loss need the best possible access to speech at all times; adequate audibility is vital for efficient language development and speech acquisition. The Baha® System can deliver excellent audibility and sound clarity.

If you have any concern about your child’s development, we suggest you turn to your family doctor for advice or more information.

Annie, Baha user

0–6 Months

Newborns move or widen their eyes as a reaction to loud sounds. They also vocalize pleasure and displeasure through laughing, giggling and crying.

Scientific research shows that the first six months are critical in language development – long before babies can talk, they are listening to spoken language.2

6–12 Months Babies refine listening skills and should look for the sources of common sounds around the home. The first “speech like” babbling starts and they will understand simple words like "Mommy", "Daddy", or "no".

1 Year At the age of 1 year they try to imitate simple words and point to objects, pictures, and family members, trying to pronounce their first words.

1½ Years At this age children should understand simple verbs such as “eat”, “sleep” and have a spoken vocabulary of between 20 and 50 words.

2 Years

Children will use everyday words heard at home and pronounce simple two word sentences. Most speech becomes understandable to other adults. At this age many children learn their first songs and enjoy listening to music.

3 Years This is the age of use and understanding of simple verbs, prepositions, adjectives and pronouns. Children should begin using complete sentences and also be able to accurately locate the source of a sound.

4–5 Years

The child’s speech is now understandable but longer or more complex words will frequently be mispronounced. Vocabulary increases rapidly and most children of this age can carry on a conversation. Most speech sounds should be clear and understandable by the end of the preschool period.

Hannah, Baha user

Baha Softband — gently introducing a new worldFor children who are not yet ready for an implant*, the Baha® Softband is the ideal alternative. Easy to use and comfortable, providing infants and toddlers with the amplification they need to facilitate language development.*

• Consistsofasoft,elasticheadbandandaplasticsnapconnector.• Adjustablefasteningensureseasypressureadjustment.• Easytoshiftpositiontoincreasecomfort.Usefulwhenchildisinacarseatorstroller.• Holdstheprocessorfirmlybutgentlyinplace.

* In the US and Canada, the Baha Implant is indicated for children 5 years and older.

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Baha® – the Proven SolutionBaha is the world’s first implantable bone conduction hearing system. Clinically proven for more than 30 years, it offers a natural pathway to hearing for children who cannot sufficiently benefit from air conduction hearing aids, or who find other bone conduction and CROS (Contralateral Routing Of Signals) hearing aids uncomfortable or ineffective.After a straightforward surgical procedure, the bone integrates with the titanium implant in a process known as osseointegration. This same process has been used in dental implants as well as Baha with great success for more than 30 years. When used as an integral part of a Baha System, the osseointegrated implant enables sound to be conducted directly to the cochlea. There are three components to the Baha System:

2 3Sound Processor

The processor detects sound and transforms it into vibrations.

Connecting Abutment

The connecting abutment receives the amplified vibrations and transfers them to the osseointegrated titanium implant.

Titanium Implant

Using bone conduction, the titanium implant transfers sound vibrations directly to the hearing nerve via the cochlea.

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Over 77,000 people across the world enjoy improved quality of life thanks to their Baha®. No one has more experience with bone conduction hearing solutions than us.

Cochlear™ is the number one choice for patients and health care professionals for bone conduction hearing solutions. For over 30 years we have dedicated ourselves to researching, developing and applying solutions that can offer the gift of better hearing – and we’ll continue to do so with the same level of commitment in the future.

“It’s been life changing for us. Joshua’s speech is the absolute biggest difference. Without his two Bahas he wouldn’t be where he is today. He is very good at concentrating in class and he follows the exact learning curve as the rest of his classmates.”

Joshua's mother

More than 77,000 Success Stories

“It’s amazing!...it was nice to hear like everyone else. I could hear the little sounds again, like footsteps. My Baha has helped with school because I am able to hear the teacher and others in my class."

Hannah

"Quim would not be the same without his Baha.Hearing is so important that we wanted him to have the surgery as soon as possible. We did not want Quim to lose his language learning."

Quim's mother

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Baha® – Designed for Your ChildAsoneofthelargestresearchersofhearingtechnologyworldwide, Cochlear is committed to ensuring that there will always be a Baha Sound Processor to meet your child's needs.

NOTE: Not all processors are available in all colors. All processors are not available in all markets. Contact your local Cochlear office for more information. Images not to scale.

NEW Baha Softband• Ideal until a child is ready for an implant.

• Transmits sound to functioning inner ear.

• Latex-free.

• Velrco®-free, easily adjustable for maximum comfort.

• Built-in safety release feature.

• Available in eight design styles: peony pink, sky blue, navy blue, hazelnut brown, black, beige, ruby red and jungle.

Colored Battery Doors*

Audio Adapter• Provides direct input from personal

sound equipment, connecting easily to stereos, TVs and MP3 players.

FM-Receiver• May further improve speech

understanding in noisy environments.• Connects to most FM systems.• Ideal for classrooms with commonly

used FM systems.

Telecoil**

• Designed to improve telephone listening and listening in buildings supplied with a loop facility e.g. schools, cinemas.

• Sends the signal directly to the Baha.

AccessoriesDesignedfor kids...

12 | * *Available for the headworn devices only. The body-worn Cordelle II has a built-in telecoil for convenience.

tamperproof battery doorssoftband options

battery doors

Cochlear™ Baha 3 Sound Processor (BP100)

Premium Performance• Superior amplification all day long -

even in challenging environments.

• Tamper-proof features and easy to monitor LED indicators, ideal for parents and caregivers.

• GORE-TEX® membranes over the microphone ports, a silicon seal and rubber lining, all designed to provide improved protection from moisture and dust.

Cochlear Baha 3 Power Processor (BP110)Most Powerful Head-Worn Baha • Ideal for greater hearing losses.

• Thinnest programmable power processor.

• Same advanced digital signal processing as Baha 3 Sound Processor, provides the best hearing across a variety of sound environments.

Cochlear Baha Cordelle II

Body Worn Super Power• The body worn Baha Cordelle II is the

strongest member of the Baha family.

• Designed for more substantial hearing losses.

• In-built telecoil for convieniece.

CoLors aVaiLabLe *Not available with Cordelle II sound processor.

Getting a Baha® Is As Simple As the Joy It Brings

One or two Baha?If your child has a hearing loss in both ears, placing a Baha on both sides should be considered. This will enhance the listening experience and help your child locate where a sound is coming from — a crucial skill both in social activites with friends and family and to assist personal safety in noisy active environments such as traffic.

Now that you know what a Baha® can do, how do you get one for your child? The answer is — it's easy.

14 | * In the US and Canada, the Baha implant is indicated for children 5 years and older.

The entire process, from initial contact to aftercare advice and guidance is devised to be as simple as possible.

Take a TestAsk your hearing care professional for a demonstration of a Baha, so your child can hear the difference.

RecommendationIf your child is a good candidate for a Baha implant, you will be put in touch with a qualified surgeon. In cases where a child is too young for surgery, a Baha® Softband can be used.*

ImplantBecause Baha implant surgery is a straightforward procedure, your child can resume his or her normal routine within just a few days. And unlike other types of ear surgery, there is no damage to their hearing.

FittingAfter the bone has had time to merge with the implant, your hearing care professional will fit the Baha Sound Processor and adjust its settings to suit your child’s individual hearing needs.

AftercareAside from follow-up appointments and routine checkups, the only aftercare needed is to keep the abutment clean and the sound processor dry.

Baha and Baha Divino are trademarks of Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions. Cochlear and the elliptical logo are trademarks of Cochlear Limited. © Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions 2011.

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Cochlear Americas13059 East Peakview AvenueCentennial CO 80111USA

Tel: 1 303 790 9010 Fax: 1 303 792 9025

Cochlear Canada Inc2500-120 Adelaide Street WestToronto, ON M5H 1T1 Canada

Tel: 1 416 972 5082 Fax: 1 416 972 5083

www.CochlearAmericas.com

referenCes

1 Snik AF, Mylannus EA, Proops DW, et al. Consensus statements on the BAHA system: Where do we stand at present? The Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology 2005; 195:2-12.

2 Yoshinaga-Itano, C., Sedey, A.L., Coulter, D.K. and Mehl, A.L.: Language of Early- and Later-identifiedChildren With Hearing Loss. Pediatrics 1998;102(5):1161-71.

this is the Cochlear™ promise to you. As the global leader in hearing solutions, Cochlear is dedicated to bringing the gift of sound to people all over the world. With our hearing solutions, Cochlear has reconnected over 250,000 cochlear implant and Baha® users to their families, friends and communities in more than 100 countries.

Along with the industry’s largest investment in research and development, we continue to partner with leading international researchers and hearing professionals, ensuring that we are at the forefront in the science of hearing.

For patients receiving any Cochlear hearing system, our commitment is that for the rest of your life we will be here to support you.

Act now ! Take your child to a hearing professional near you and ask if your child is a Baha candidate.

As your patient’s partner in hearing for life, Cochlear believes it is important to convey not only the benefits, but also the potential risks associated with a Baha procedure.

Not everyone with hearing loss is a candidate for a Baha. Baha is contraindicated in patients with inadequate bone quality or quantity to provide stability and support for the implant, or in patients who will be unable to maintain and clean the skin around the abutment. In the U.S., use of the implanted fixture is also contraindicated in children under age 5 years.

All surgical procedures include an element of risk, and it is impossible to guarantee success. The device may fail to osseointegrate for a number of reasons, including physiological and surgical issues as well as traumatic impact to the implant site. On rare occasions the skin around the abutment may become inflamed from a mild infection or the skin may grow back towards its original thickness. For complete information regarding the risks and benefits of a Baha procedure, please refer to the instructions for use for the Baha implant available at www.Cochlearamericas.com/bahaindications