Objective: To restore auditory sensation for patient suffering loss of hearing due to bilateral acoustic neuromas.
Method: One patient of bilateral acoustic neuromas received auditory brainstem implant (ABI) at the same surgery for resection of the second tumor. The retrosigmoid approach was used for resection of the tumor and to exposure the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle for placement of ABI electrode array. Intraoperative 7th and 9th nerves monitoring and electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (EABR) were recorded to localize the placement of ABI electrode array.
Result: Initial ABI switch-on was performed eight weeks after the surgery under close monitoring of vital signs. Auditory sensation was perceived on stimulation of all channels.
Conclusion: The multichannel ABI could effectively restore auditory sensation for patient deafened by bilateral acoustic neuromas. The accurate location of the cochlear complex during surgery was the critical factor for success of ABI.