Update on long-term results with auditory brainstem implants in NF2 patients

Abstract

This study reviews the long-term results of auditory brainstem implant (ABI) in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients. Retrospective chart reviews of patients who received an ABI at the Melbourne Cochlear Implant Clinic since 1995. Ten patients with an average follow-up of five years were included. Three patients received the N22 ABI and seven received the N24. Two patients discontinued use of their devices. Users reported part-time use for approximately four to five hours per day, switching their implants off in noisy environments. Audiological analyses at one to seven years postimplantation indicate that N24 patients showed worse performance at one year postimplantation but they continued to improve and, in the long term, both N22 and N24 groups achieved similar results. In conclusion, ABI provides a safe and useful tool for aural rehabilitation in NF2 patients. This study confirms that gradual improvement in performance occurs beyond one year post-implantation, as speech perception scores continued to improve. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords:

• auditory brainstem implant
• long term
• neurofibromatosis type 2
• NF2