Surgical experiences in 58 cases using the Nucleus 22 multichannel auditory brainstem implant

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Otolaryngology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Bilateral total deafness from vestibulocochlear nerve lesions poses significant challenges.
• Current treatments are limited for profound hearing loss.
• Auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) offer a potential solution by directly stimulating the auditory neuron.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 22-channel auditory brainstem implant (ABI).
• To assess the outcomes of ABI implantation in patients with bilateral total deafness, including those with acoustic neuromas.

Main Methods:

• Development of a 22-channel multi-electrode implant with transcutaneous transmission.
• Surgical removal of acoustic neuromas followed by simultaneous ABI implantation.
• Utilized translabyrinthine or suboccipital surgical approaches.
• Post-implantation assessment of device performance and patient-reported outcomes.

Main Results:

• Successful implantation in 58 patients, with acoustic neuroma removal in 49.
• No intraoperative or postoperative complications related to the ABI implantation.
• Most patients used the ABI daily, reporting sound and frequency perception.
• Significant enhancement of lip-reading ability was observed.
• Three patients successfully used the telephone with the ABI.

Conclusions:

• The 22-channel ABI is a safe and effective treatment for bilateral total deafness.
• ABI implantation can restore a degree of auditory function, improving communication.
• This technology offers a viable option for patients with hearing loss due to vestibulocochlear nerve lesions.