auditory brainstem implant

Epidemiology

• ~ 500 devices worldwide (2009)

Indications

• sensorineural hearing impairment due to bilateral auditory nerve damage
  • neurofibromatosis type 2

Clinical significance

• provides a sensation of hearing

Procedure

• surgical implantation of an electronic device in the cochlear nucleus brainstem, generally during surgery to resect tumor
• device bypasses the cochlea & auditory nerve transmitting sound directly to the cochlear nucleus

More general terms

• implant

Additional terms

• cochlear implant