Cochlear Baha Series User manual

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Living with your
Baha®System
DVD included
FOR RECIPIENTS

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Contents
5 How to look after your Baha® System – and yourself!
6 After surgery
6 Daily cleaning
7 Weekly cleaning
8 Attaching and removing your sound processor
9 Protecting your abutment
9 Attaching a safety line
10 Baha and children
10 What is a Baha Softband?
12 Twelve golden rules for handling your Baha sound processor
14 Using phones and other accessories
17 Sound processors - Quick Guides
25 What to expect from your batteries
26 Troubleshooting
28 Aftercare Kit
29 About the DVD
30 How to look after your Baha System – Quick Guide
Note: Not all products are available in all markets. Product availability is subject
to regulatory approval in respective markets.

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How to look after your Baha®System
– and yourself!
Your Baha®sound processor is part of a sophisticated hearing
system full of delicate microelectronic components, so you
must take care of it – and yourself!
This brochure shows you what to do after the surgery and how to keep
your Baha sound processor and the abutment site in prime condition. The
procedures outlined both here and in the accompanying DVD are so easy to
follow, that they’ll soon become part of your daily routine.
And the rewards will be well worth the effort! With a Baha system you’ll be
able to hear and communicate with ease.

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After surgery
For the best result, you need to take care of the abutment to avoid
any complications with the surrounding tissue. If the area has healed,
the dressing and stitches will be removed 10–14 days after surgery. If
not, the dressing may have to stay in place longer.
At home it is important to maintain good daily hygiene; for the
first few weeks after the dressing has been removed, wash your hair
carefully and use a strip of abutment cleaning wipe to keep the skin
around the abutment clean.
Daily cleaning
After the first few weeks you can start cleaning the outside of the
abutment with the soft abutment cleaning brush provided. Aim the
bristles at the side of the abutment, and remove any debris that might
have built up around the base. You can do this while taking a bath or
shower, using mild soap and plenty of warm water. When you have
finished bathing, use a strip of abutment cleaning wipe to make sure
that all debris has been removed.

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Weekly cleaning
Clean the inside of the abutment every week, with the abutment
cleaning brush, as debris can also build up there.
If you should experience soreness or inflammation, or if the abutment
feels loose, contact your clinician or hearing care centre. Otherwise,
it’s a good idea to get regular checkups every six months.
Remember:
• Always rinse the abutment
cleaning brush in mild soap
and warm water and let it
air dry. Change the brush
every three months, or if
you have had an infection.
• If you have bilateral
implants, use two separate
cleaning brushes (one for
each abutment), to avoid
cross-contamination.
• You can get new cleaning
brushes from your hearing
care centre or by contacting
your Cochlear™office.

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Attaching and removing
your sound processor
Your Baha sound processor is designed to snap onto the abutment.
Simply attach it at a slight angle and tilt or rock it into place, taking
care to keep your hair out of the way. The tilt technique reduces the
pressure on the abutment and prevents any discomfort. Make sure
you never push the sound processor straight in.
To remove the sound processor again, lift your hair, slide a fingertip
under it, and gently tilt it until it snaps off. Never pull it straight out.

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Protecting your abutment
Whenever you are not wearing your Baha sound processor, you can
shield the abutment using the press-on abutment cover provided with
your sound processor. Wear it when sleeping, and when having hair
treatments. During rough contact sports you can wear a sweatband
over the abutment for additional protection.
Attaching a safety line
When taking part in activities where you risk losing your sound
processor we recommend using the safety line provided. Insert the
line into the attachment point and fasten it to your clothing.
Note: The safety line should always be used when a Baha sound
processor is worn by children.

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Baha and children
Children who use a Baha system need to observe the same routines
as adults. Their parents/caregivers should teach them how to keep the
abutment clean and the skin around it healthy. They should also be
taught the importance of keeping their Baha sound processor safe –
including using a safety line to avoid losing it.
Note: In the United States and Canada, the placement of a bone-
anchored implant is contraindicated in children below the age of 5.
What is a Baha Softband?
Until children are ready for an implant they can wear their Baha sound
processor on a colourful Baha Softband. This consists of an elastic
headband with a plastic snap connector that holds the sound processor
in place. To avoid any sore areas, this adjustable band can be turned,
so the sound processor is not always in the same position. The Baha
Softband enables a variety of listening opportunities. For example, in a
car seat the sound processor can be worn on the forehead to maximise
sound perception.