Sektion Cochlear Implant - ICFKlinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde

A brainstem implant is indicated for impairments in the lower hearing path area which hinder or block transmission of what is heard. These may be tumors, as such acousticus neurinoma or vestibular schwannoma, which occur on one side, or which may also occur on both sides as part of a Type II neurofibromatosis. Other causes may include an accident-related petrous bone fracture, a rudimentary acoustic nerve, malformation of the inner ear or even an ossified inner ear due to otosclerosis. The indication and implantation are made in interdisciplinary cooperation with Neurosurgery. The resultant hearing impression enables improvement in lip-reading and differentiation of everyday noises. Free word comprehension will be possible in only a few exceptional cases. 

A brainstem implant consists of two system components: The implant which is surgically inserted behind the ear with the receiver and the stimulation electrodes, and the externally-worn sound processor behind the ear with a microphone and transmitter coil for wireless transmission of the energy and the stimulation parameters.

The brainstem implant differs from the cochlear implant essentially in the selected site of electrical stimulation. Unlike the cochlear implant, the stimulation electrode is not inserted in the inner ear, but positioned on the Nucleus-Cochlearis complex. The sound processor of the ABI is worn behind the ear, as with the cochlear implant. The greatest difference is the form of the electrode frame.