Authors' objectives:

To summarize the available information on the use of auditory brain stem implants (Trade Mark: Nucleus 24 ABI, manufactured by Cochlear Corporation) to restore some sound sensing in patients with hearing loss after surgery for benign tumours of the auditory nerves (neurofibromatosis type 2).

Authors' recommendations: An initial literature search was done in October 2002, and this was updated. The Nucleus 24 ABI has been licensed for sale in Canada. US FDA approval (October 2000) was based on a study of 90 people who had been implanted with the device; data available from 60 people at six-month follow-up indicated that 82% were able to detect certain familiar sounds; 85% were able to hear and understand conversation with the aid of lipreading; 12% could use a phone. Of the 90 patients who received the implant, 18% were not able to hear any sound, due either to migration of the implant after surgery or misplacement of the device. In patients with large tumours, the anatomy of the brainstem may be distorted, making it impossible for the surgeon to correctly place the device. Management by a multidisplinary team--ENT and neurosurgeon--before and after implantation is required. Trials are ongoing. The literature search found that CEDIT in France is the only HTA agency that has prepared an assessment of cochlear brainstem implants and auditory brain stem implants.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2004

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)