An intact ossicular chain does not preclude the use of the Baha system. A candidate is anyone who qualifies based on audiological criteria, age, and appropriate expectations.
The biggest down-side, so to speak, is due to the risks of surgery, which is true for all surgeries. For some people who have sensorineural hearing loss, there may be a perception that the sound is not loud enough. Also, for some people, having something visible on the head, however slight, may be a negative factor when choosing whether or not to proceed with surgery.
