[Hearing without ears].

Abstract

An Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) is a technique developed for patients with severe hearing loss. The ABI consists of a microphone and speech processor located on the scalp, which is connected to a transmitting and receiving coil and electrode on the brain stem placed in the skull. Eligible for an ABI are adults with cochlea and acoustic nerve damage due to neurofibromatosis type 2, and children with congenital malformation or aplasia, cochlear trauma or cochlear ossification after meningitis. An ABI can provide useful hearing. It has proven to be a safe procedure without serious complications. The entire ABI process is handled by a multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in cerebellopontine angle tumour surgery and cochlear implantation in adults and children. Concentration of this care in a specialized centre is important to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.

• Authors: Radboud W Koot, Johan H M Frijns, Peter-Paul B M Boermans, Jeroen J Briaire, Martijn J A Malessy
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 164 (11 19 2020) ISSN: 1876-8784 [Electronic] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: Horen zonder oren.
• PMID: 33332038 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Auditory Brain Stem Implantation
• Auditory Brain Stem Implants
• Child
• Female
• Hearing Loss (etiology, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Treatment Outcome