Self-reported benefit, sound perception, and quality-of-life in patients with auditory brainstem implants (ABIs).

AbstractConclusion: The majority of the patients used their auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) all the time, reporting that he/she would make the decision to receive an implant again if the decision were reconsidered. The findings support that the ABI is a valuable treatment in patients with type 2 neurofibromatosis (NF2) and in children with congenital inner ear and nerve anomalies or cochlear ossification. Objective: To evaluate the patients who underwent ABI implantation in Uppsala during 1993–2013. This study analyzed patients’ implant use, perception of environmental sounds, perceived benefit from the implant, and quality-of-life (QoL). Method: The NF2-patients (n = 20) comprised the majority of the patients, and there were a few non-NF2 pediatric patients (n = 4). The exclusion criteria included deceased patients (n = 4) and patients with no hearing sensations from the implant, or those with an inactivated ABI (n = 2). The data were collected from a questionnaire survey. Results: Eleven adult patien...