gms | German Medical Science

Fourth International Symposium and Workshops: Objective Measures in Cochlear Implants

Medical University of Hannover

01.06. bis 04.06.2005, Hannover

Correlation of Intraoperative E-ABR and Postoperative Outcome in ABI Users

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author G. Joseph - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
  • M. Lenarz - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
  • R.D. Battmer - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
  • T. Lenarz - Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Medical University of Hannover, Department of Otolaryngology. Fourth International Symposium and Workshops: Objective Measures in Cochlear Implants. Hannover, 01.-04.06.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05omci079

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/omci2005/05omci079.shtml

Published: May 31, 2005

© 2005 Joseph et al.
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Outline

Text

Patients with bilateral total deafness due to lesions of the vestibulocochlear nerve can be treated by electrical stimulation of the second auditory neuron by an Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI). A special electrode had to be designed for this type of stimulation - all other components could be taken from normal Cochlear Implant (CI) devices. 27 patients have been provided with an ABI since 1996 (7 Advanced Bionics, 8 Nucleus 22 and 12 Nucleus 24). Post-operatively , the first fitting showed acoustic sensations induced by electrical stimulation in all cases except one. Here the device had moved to the 4th ventricle. Correct electrode positioning was controlled by intraoperative E-ABR recordings and by monitoring of the cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII. The first peak in E-ABR by stimulation with the ABI corresponds to J3, the second to J4 and the last one to J5. Wave J5 could be detected in 48 % of the patients. These patients had significant better results in the Speech Tracking test (p < 0,05). The electrical charge for the hearing and for the comfort level was significant lower (p<0,05) for them. The mean number of electrodes without non-auditory side-effects was higher but not significant higher for patients with J5. E-ABR is a useful tool for correct ABI positioning. The postoperative outcome is better, when J5 could be found.