Important: A Baha implant is not the same as a Cochlear Implant. Please confirm the patient has a Baha, bone conduction hearing system, before applying this guidance. The two Baha systems most commonly encountered are the Baha Connect System and the Baha Attract System manufactured by Cochlear Limited.
The Baha Connect System uses a percutaneous abutment through the skin. Common implant models include BI300, BA210, BIA400, BIA300 & BIA310. These implants are MR Conditional up to 3 Tesla and may be scanned in Normal Operating Mode. The external sound processor must be removed before MRI, as shown in figure 1. A link to the MR conditions are found here Connect System MR conditions.
Figure 1. Baha Connect system components
The Baha Attract System uses a magnetic coupling beneath the skin. Common models include BIM400 used with the BI300 implant. This system is MR Conditional up to 1.5 Tesla with the external components removed. The sound processor and external (SP) magnet must be removed prior to scanning, figure 2. Significant susceptibility artefact is expected around the implant site and may extend into adjacent anatomy, figure 3, so this should be considered when planning head and neck imaging. A link to the MR conditions are found here Attract System MR conditions
Figure 2. Baha Attract system components
Figure 2. Extent of artefact from Attract system.
Please always verify the exact implant make and model and refer to the latest manufacturer MRI safety guidance before scanning. There may be other bone conduction implant models which are not manufactuered by Cochlear, and MRI conditions may differ. It is therefore essential to accurately identify the device before proceeding. If there is any uncertainty regarding implant identification or MRI conditions, contact the MRI Physics team before scanning.