Hearing restoration with the multichannel auditory brainstem implant

Abstract

Restoration of useful hearing is now possible in patients with bilateral acoustic neuromas by direct electrical stimulation of the cochlear nucleus. Our first experience with the Multichannel Auditory Brainstem Implant is reported. A forty four year old female with bilateral acoustic neuromas and a strong family history of Neurofibromatosis Type II presented with profound bilateral hearing impairment. Translabyrinthine removal of the right tumour was performed with placement of the Nucleus eight electrode Auditory Brainstem Implant. Intraoperative electrically evoked auditory brainstem response monitoring successfully confirmed placement over the cochlear nucleus. Postoperatively, auditory responses were obtained on stimulation of all electrodes with minimal non-auditory sensations. The patient now receives useful auditory sensations using the "SPEAK" speech processing strategy. Auditory brainstem Implantation should be considered for patients with Neurofibromatosis Type II in whom hearing preservation tumour removal is not possible.