Concierge otology · London
Bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) - London.
A surgically implanted titanium fixture in the temporal bone with an external sound processor - Cochlear BAHA 6 Max or Oticon Ponto 5 - for conductive, mixed, and single-sided hearing loss.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant otologist
A named consultant ear surgeon with a bone-conduction implant practice performs the case, not a generalist.
- 02
A softband trial first
You wear the sound processor on a softband or testband for a proper trial before any decision on surgery is made.
- 03
Independent, and free
We take no fees from clinics or manufacturers, so the recommendation across Cochlear and Oticon Medical is impartial.
Indicative pricing
What a private BAHA in London costs.
Indicative ranges across our partner otology units. Send the details and we quote firm all-inclusive figures.
In short
All-inclusive BAHA in our network: £12,000–£19,500.
| Item | Indicative range | Typical duration | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implant surgery (single-stage MIPS, day case) | £8,500–£14,000 | 30–45 min | Same day |
| Sound processor (BAHA 6 Max or Ponto 5) | £3,500–£5,500 | 1 hr fit | 6–12 weeks post-op |
| All-inclusive package (surgery + processor + tuning) | £12,000–£19,500 | — | — |
| Audiology assessment with bone-conduction thresholds | £250–£450 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Softband trial (loan device, one to four weeks) | £150–£400 | — | — |
| Consultant ENT consultation | £300–£500 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
A BAHA is also available on the NHS at specialist centres for eligible patients, free at the point of use, with waiting times that vary by region.
The problem
The right implant, on the right ear, only after a proper trial.
A BAHA is a very good answer to a very specific problem - conductive or mixed loss, or single-sided deafness where a conventional aid cannot do the job.
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Softband trial first
You hear the real benefit before you commit to surgery.
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Two brands, one recommendation
Cochlear and Oticon Medical both offered - the choice is driven by fit, not by loyalty.
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Consultant-led surgery
A named consultant otologist performs the case as a day-case implant.
What it is
A titanium fixture, an external processor, sound routed through bone.
A small titanium fixture is placed into the temporal bone behind the ear. An external sound processor clicks on to an abutment (or couples via a magnet), converts sound into vibrations, and sends them through the skull directly to the cochlea, bypassing the outer and middle ear altogether. Two brand systems dominate the UK market: Cochlear BAHA 6 Max on the Connect abutment or via the Attract magnet, and Oticon Medical Ponto 5 on the Ponto abutment.
The journey
From enquiry to processor fitting.
One consultant otologist and one audiologist from first message to processor loading, six to twelve weeks after surgery.
- 01
Before
You tell us your hearing
A short, confidential form. Pattern of hearing loss, previous aids tried, ear discharge or malformation, side affected.
- 02
Before
Audiology and ENT
Pure-tone audiogram with bone-conduction thresholds, tympanometry and consultant ENT review to confirm suitability.
- 03
Before
Softband trial
You wear a demo Cochlear BAHA 6 Max or Oticon Ponto 5 on a softband for one to four weeks to hear the real benefit before surgery.
- 04
On the day
Arrival on surgery day
Admission, consent and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. Local anaesthetic with sedation or a short general anaesthetic.
- 05
On the day
Implant surgery
30 to 45 minutes as a day case. Titanium fixture placed into the temporal bone, with an abutment (percutaneous) or magnet (Attract) coupling.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short observation, dressing on the site, written aftercare, and home with a chaperone.
- 07
After
Loading and tuning
Osseointegration over six to twelve weeks, then processor fitting and audiological tuning by the manufacturer's clinician.
Who it suits
When a BAHA is the right step.
Pure-tone thresholds, ear canal health and cochlear reserve all drive whether a BAHA is the right answer, or whether a conventional aid or middle-ear implant fits better.
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Chronic conductive loss
Chronic middle-ear effusion or discharge that stops you tolerating a conventional in-ear hearing aid.
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Aural atresia
Congenital malformation of the ear canal or middle ear where a standard aid cannot be worn.
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Mixed hearing loss
A combined conductive and sensorineural loss with cochlear reserve of 65 dB HL or better.
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Single-sided deafness
Profound loss in one ear with a normal or near-normal other ear (cochlear reserve of 55 dB HL or better on the good side) - the CROS effect routes sound across.
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Otosclerosis where stapes surgery declined
An option if stapes surgery is not wanted or has not worked.
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Failed conventional aid
Recurrent ear canal infection, occlusion effect or discharge with a behind-the-ear or in-canal aid.
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After radical mastoid surgery
An open mastoid cavity that will not tolerate a conventional aid.
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Red flag
Sudden hearing loss, unilateral tinnitus with vertigo or unexplained ear pain - needs urgent ENT review, not a BAHA discussion.
Devices and alternatives
Cochlear, Oticon Medical, and the alternatives.
The current processors from both major manufacturers, and the non-BAHA options that should be considered alongside them.
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Cochlear BAHA 6 Max
The current Cochlear percutaneous processor on the Connect abutment. Bluetooth, adaptive noise reduction, rechargeable option.
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Cochlear BAHA 5 SuperPower / Attract
A higher-power body-worn option for greater loss, or the Attract magnet coupling for a skin-intact solution.
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Oticon Ponto 5
Oticon Medical's current processor on the Ponto abutment. OpenSound Navigator, wireless streaming, mini or SuperPower models.
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Conventional hearing aid
Behind-the-ear or in-canal aid - always the first option if the ear canal will tolerate it.
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Middle-ear implant
An active implant that vibrates the ossicles - an alternative for some mixed losses.
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CROS or BiCROS aid
A non-surgical wireless routing solution for single-sided deafness, worth trying before implant surgery.
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Cochlear implant
For profound bilateral sensorineural loss, considered when BAHA cannot bridge the gap.
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Watchful waiting
Trialling different softband settings first and reviewing - there is no rush to implant.
Where we send you
The London units that do this work well.
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital Private, University College London Hospital Private, HCA Wellington ENT, King's Private, and private otology surgeons through the Cochlear and Oticon Medical UK programmes.
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Consultant ENT surgeons with a declared otology and bone-conduction implant practice
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Both Cochlear and Oticon Medical systems offered, so the choice is fit-driven not brand-driven
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A softband trial always offered before surgery is booked
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In-house audiology for pure-tone, bone-conduction and speech-in-noise testing and long-term processor tuning
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
A well-tolerated day-case procedure with a small side-effect profile. Serious complications are rare.
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Skin-site care
Daily cleaning around the abutment for the first six months keeps the skin healthy. Attract magnet systems avoid the skin-through fixture entirely.
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Reversible if needed
The processor is removable and the fixture can be replaced or explanted if problems occur.
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Osseointegration failure
The titanium fixture fails to bond with bone in about 3 to 5 per cent of adults and is redone under LA.
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Skin reaction at the abutment
Some redness, discharge or overgrowth around the site, usually settled with topical care.
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MRI-safe with caveats
Percutaneous BAHA fixtures are MRI-safe at 1.5 T and 3 T with processor removed. Attract magnet systems have specific MRI conditions - always show the implant card.
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Sound quality
Speech clarity in noise is markedly better than a conventional aid for a conductive or mixed loss, and for SSD the sense of surround returns.
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Battery
Disposable zinc-air or a rechargeable option lasting a full day of use.
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Blood-thinner review
Aspirin, clopidogrel, apixaban and warfarin are only paused if the surgeon specifically advises it.
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Red flags
Spreading redness, fever or bleeding from the site - contact the clinic the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts.
Whichever consultant does the surgery, the note keeps to the same shape - and the processor fitting date is what to look at first.
- 01 Header
Device, side and abutment
Which system was implanted (BAHA 6 Max, Ponto 5), which side, and whether Connect abutment, Attract magnet or Ponto abutment was used.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and approach
Anaesthetic used, single-stage MIPS or two-stage, fixture length and torque.
- 03 Findings
Bone quality and skin
Bone stock, soft-tissue thickness and skin closure notes.
- 04 Impression
Processor fitting date
Read this first: when to return for processor loading, softband use in the interim, and audiology review.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about BAHA.
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How risky is BAHA implant surgery?
Serious complications are rare. The main risks are osseointegration failure in about 3 to 5 per cent of adults, and skin reaction around the abutment which usually settles with topical care. Single-stage MIPS surgery under local anaesthetic keeps the risk profile low.
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Is a BAHA safe in an MRI scanner?
Percutaneous BAHA fixtures are MRI-conditional at 1.5 T and 3 T with the sound processor removed. Attract magnet systems have specific MRI conditions and may need a splint or magnet removal for head scans - always show your implant card to the radiographer.
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How does the sound quality compare to a normal hearing aid?
For conductive or mixed loss and for single-sided deafness, most patients report clearer speech in noise than a conventional aid, because sound bypasses the diseased middle ear and reaches the cochlea directly via bone conduction. A softband trial before surgery lets you hear the difference yourself.
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How long does the battery last?
A disposable zinc-air battery lasts about five to seven days of typical use. Rechargeable options give a full day on a charge and are becoming the norm on the current Cochlear and Oticon Medical processors.
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Is a BAHA covered by insurance?
Most major UK insurers cover BAHA where audiology confirms suitability and a softband trial has shown benefit. Cover for the sound processor upgrade after the warranty runs out is variable and worth checking upfront.
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Can I try before I decide on surgery?
Yes. Every patient in our network trials the processor on a softband or testband for one to four weeks before surgery is booked. If the trial does not deliver a clear benefit, no implant is placed.
Related
Looking for something else?
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Private hearing aid fitting
Conventional behind-the-ear and in-canal aids.
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Cochlear implant mapping
Tuning for cochlear implant recipients.
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SCDS canal plugging
Superior canal dehiscence surgery.
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Vestibular rehabilitation
Balance rehab after ear surgery.
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Send Enquiry
Tell us about your hearing loss.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and treatment we arrange.
Learn more
Ready to talk?
One consultant, one softband trial, one clear decision.
Tell us about your hearing loss and what has been tried. We come back within one working day with a matched consultant otologist, a firm all-inclusive quote, and the plan to trial a processor before you commit to surgery.