Auditory brainstem implantation (ABI) in children without neurofibromatosis type II (NF2): communication performance and safety after 24 months of use

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the safety and communication performance of auditory brainstem implant (ABI) provision in children who were contraindicated for cochlear implantation and do not have neurofibromatosis type II (NF2).

Methods: Communication performance was assessed via a battery of tests up to 24 months after first fitting. Safety was assessed intra-operatively and via post-operative adverse event reports.

Results: Ten children participated in the study. The mean communication skills on all 8 tests for which inferential statistics were possible increased significantly from pre-operatively to 12 months and either again increased significantly or remained stable from 12 to 24 months. Communication development was variable: some children achieved high scores while others did not. Two serious adverse events that were device or procedure-related were reported and successfully resolved.

Discussion: ABI provision in this population group was safe. Participants’ auditory abilities were significantly better after 24 months of ABI use than at pre-implantation. Development was slower than that of children with a cochlear implant but may continue progressing after 24 months of use.

Conclusion: ABI provision and use is safe and allows significant auditory development in children without NF2 who are contradicted for cochlear implantation.

Keywords:

• Auditory brainstem implant
• Pediatric auditory development
• Cochlear aplasia
• Cochlear hypoplasia

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Ilona Anderson (study support), Edda Amann (statistics), and Michael Todd (medical writing) who worked on a version of this manuscript. This paper contains data that are also being used as part of a PhD thesis at the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University.