Re: Infections of bowl in CWD patient - Attn: Cathy

[Guest guest]

,

I have had a CWD in both ears due to ctoma. When I have had an infection, my otologist has cleaned the "bowl" and then sprayed an antibiotic powder into my ear. Sometimes it would take a couple of follow up visits to clear it up completely, but that has worked best for me. I stopped using the in the canal hearing aids because my ears were always too moist even if there wasn't an infection present. I now have a BAHA ( Bone Anchor Hearing Aid ) for both ears. Best of luck to your son and you.

Ilona

mckbull <mckbull@...> wrote:

My son had 3 surgeries to removal cholesteatomas. The last was a canal wall down and inplant of prosthetic ear bones. That was 18 months ago. In the past year he has had numerous infections of the "bowl" which cause drainage from that ear. Does anyone know what they best or reccommended treatment is for these types of infections? Has anyone had this problem? We are in the process of getting a hearing aid for him but if the infections continue he won't be able to wear them. We have had extreme difficulty getting the Naval Hospital to give him appointments with an ENT when these infections occur. They send him to primary care doctors who prescribe antibiotics sometimes in the form of ear drops, somethimes oral and sometimes both. I believe he should be seen by an ENT to have

that area cleaned out and then given antibiotics if necessary. I would greatly appreciate any advice on these infections.

[Guest guest]

Hello

I had constant and persistent ear infections, which affected the use of my hearing aid, without which I was lost. I now have a BAHA - I got the sound processor in March of this year and though it's only been 7 months, it's the best thing I ever did. I have had nowhere near the number of infections I would normally have with a/c hearing aids and therefore have been remarkably healthy considering my past. I'm astonished at the difference in my health. I'm also astonished at the clarity of sound given to me by the BAHA. It's great, because the hearing aid is implanted towards the rear of the ear, and so is not affected by - and does not cause/encourage - further infection of the ear.

There is a BAHA group on (BAHA_PPL) and a group that supports BAHA users and families/friends of BAHA users - along with those considering the implant. Feel free to email me direct for further information - I'd be more than happy to give you further information regarding this wonderful implanted hearing aid.

Kazz :-)

[Guest guest]

,

There is a BAHA group that might be of interest to you. It is called BAHA_PPL. There are alot of parents in the group whose children wear a BAHA for various reasons. I am very pleased with my BAHA's. I have a better quality of sound and overall can just hear better with a BAHA than with a "conventional" hearing aid. Here is a link to a website that also offers alot of information about the BAHA www.entific.com I know that my otologist has spoken of young children in his practice that have received a BAHA while awaiting reconstruction surgery down the line. The way he explained it, it was so the young child could hear as well as they could during the very important younger years when they are learning to speak, etc.

As a child, my father was in the Marines. I can relate to the fact that alot of the "good" doctors leave the military. I had both good and bad experiences throughout the years. Keep us posted. Good Luck.

Ilona mckbull <mckbull@...> wrote:

Tom and Ilona,Thank you so much for your quick responses. You both verify what I believed. My son should receive treatment for these problems from and ENT. The original Navy Doctor who performed the 3 surgeries was great and we never had any problems with care for our son. He left the Navy (the good ones usually do) and the new doctor in the ENT clinic leaves alot to be desired. I have started taking it up the chain of command. It's ashame that military members and their dependents can't rely on the medical system to voluntarily do what's best for the patient. I'm wondering if a BAHA would be better for my son. I would like to hear from anyone who has had expereince with them so we can make a beter decision. We are not yet committed to a particular hearing aid as the

audiologist was not able to make the mold of his hear due to the current infection. again, thank you both for your quick responses.

[Guest guest]

Tell me more about the BAHA site. How much does a BAHA run and does insurance usually cover it?

Tom

Re: Infections of "bowl" in CWD patient - ATTN:

Hello

I had constant and persistent ear infections, which affected the use of my hearing aid, without which I was lost. I now have a BAHA - I got the sound processor in March of this year and though it's only been 7 months, it's the best thing I ever did. I have had nowhere near the number of infections I would normally have with a/c hearing aids and therefore have been remarkably healthy considering my past. I'm astonished at the difference in my health. I'm also astonished at the clarity of sound given to me by the BAHA. It's great, because the hearing aid is implanted towards the rear of the ear, and so is not affected by - and does not cause/encourage - further infection of the ear.

There is a BAHA group on (BAHA_PPL) and a group that supports BAHA users and families/friends of BAHA users - along with those considering the implant. Feel free to email me direct for further information - I'd be more than happy to give you further information regarding this wonderful implanted hearing aid.

Kazz :-)