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Cochlear Implant Surgery and Electrically-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response Recordings in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: January 9, 2019
The multichannel auditory brain stem implant: performance in twenty patients
S R Otto1, R V Shannon, D E Brackmann
1House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, California 90057, USA.
Summary
The auditory brain stem implant offers hearing sensations for those deafened by tumors. This multichannel device provides significant auditory benefits through direct brain stem stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Audiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Bilateral auditory nerve tumors (neurofibromatosis type 2) cause deafness.
- Auditory brain stem implants (ABI) are used to restore hearing in such cases.
- ABIs stimulate the cochlear nucleus complex in the brain stem.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a new eight-electrode multichannel auditory brain stem implant.
- To assess the device's effectiveness and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 20 patients with at least 3 months of ABI experience.
- The device was implanted via a translabyrinthine approach into the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle.
- Perceptual performance was tested to evaluate communication benefits.
Main Results:
- Mild, manageable nonauditory sensations (e.g., tingling) were reported by some patients.
- Significant communication benefits were observed.
- Sound-only sentence recognition scores ranged from 49% to 58% in three patients.
- Patients demonstrated the ability to converse on the telephone.
Conclusions:
- The multichannel auditory brain stem implant provides significant auditory benefits.
- Direct electrical stimulation of the auditory brain stem is effective for restoring hearing.
- The device shows promise for improving quality of life in deafened individuals.
