Self-reported benefit, sound perception, and quality-of-life in patients with auditory brainstem implants (ABIs)

Abstract

Conclusion: The majority of the patients used their auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) all the time, reporting that he/she would make the decision to receive an implant again if the decision were reconsidered. The findings support that the ABI is a valuable treatment in patients with type 2 neurofibromatosis (NF2) and in children with congenital inner ear and nerve anomalies or cochlear ossification. Objective: To evaluate the patients who underwent ABI implantation in Uppsala during 1993–2013. This study analyzed patients’ implant use, perception of environmental sounds, perceived benefit from the implant, and quality-of-life (QoL). Method: The NF2-patients (n = 20) comprised the majority of the patients, and there were a few non-NF2 pediatric patients (n = 4). The exclusion criteria included deceased patients (n = 4) and patients with no hearing sensations from the implant, or those with an inactivated ABI (n = 2). The data were collected from a questionnaire survey. Results: Eleven adult patients and two pediatric patients answered the questionnaires. Eight of the adult patients used their implants ‘always’. The two children always used their implants. Hearing problems had the largest negative effect on the QoL. The non-users and the users scored equally on the NFTI-QoL.

Keywords::

• Auditory brainstem implants
• QoL
• benefit
• NF2

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Lars Lindhagen for his statistical advice on the data analysis. This study was supported by ALF grants from Uppsala University Hospital and Uppsala University, the Foundation of ‘Tysta Skolan’, Swedish Deafness Foundation (HRF), and kind private funds from Börje Runögård, Sweden.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.