Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) in Adult Non-Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Subjects
Bilateral Hearing Loss for Causes Other Than Tumors
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Bilateral Hearing Loss for Causes Other Than Tumors focused on measuring Auditory Brainstem Implant, ABI, Nucleus 24, Deafness, Hearing loss, Non-tumor, Non-NF2, ABI541
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years of age or older
- English as the primary language
- Medically and psychologically suitable
- Willing to receive/have received meningitis / pneumococcal vaccinations
- Able to comply with study requirements, including travel to the investigational site
Cochlear or retrocochlear anomaly/pathology that interferes with transmission of auditory information from the cochleae to the brainstem, resulting in severe to profound bilateral deafness (thresholds of 90 dB or worse in both ears on pure tone audiometry ranging from 250 to 2,000 Hz and speech recognition scores ≤ 30% in both ears). All subjects will undergo bone conduction audiometry and tympanometry to confirm sensorineural hearing loss and rule out potential middle ear disorders.
- Conditions that cannot be otherwise treated, with conventional hearing aids or cochlear implants. If CI were previously used, subjects will have had a failed response, defined as ≤ 30% speech recognition and patient perception of inadequate benefit to continue using the device.
Expected subjects include those with these diagnoses:
- Bilaterally severe/completely ossified cochleae
- Bilateral cochlear malformations leading to poor CI outcomes
- Bilateral temporal bone fractures, where the VIIIth cranial nerves have been disrupted
- Bilateral cochlear nerve agenesis
- Not a CI candidate based on above listed pathology, intolerable adverse effects with CI (e.g. stimulation of the facial nerve), or Evoked Auditory Potential testing predictive of a poor response
Exclusion Criteria:
- Anomalies/pathology involving the brainstem or cortex
- Retrocochlear pathology due to NF2 or other types of cranial nerve or brainstem neoplasm
- Co-existing medical conditions that require irradiation of the brainstem or auditory cortex
- Medical or psychological conditions that serve as contraindication to surgery
- Additional handicaps that would prevent or limit participation in evaluations
- Unrealistic patient or family expectations regarding the benefits, risks, and limitations inherent to the procedure and the prosthetic device
- Pregnant women
Sites / Locations
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Non-NF2 ABI surgery
All subjects will be part of a single arm involving placement of the Nucleus ABI541 Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) device. The Nucleus 24 was discontinued and is no longer available.