ABI-auditory brainstem implant

The Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) is based on the classic cochlear implant (CI) but uses a different stimulation electrode. At MED-EL, early development activities ABI started in year 1994, with suggestion coming from J. Helms and Müller Würzburg, Germany collaboration Univ. of Innsbruck Austria. first surgery neuro-fibromatosis (NF2) patient MED-EL device took place 1997. Later, indication was expanded to non-NF2 patients severe inner-ear malformation, for whom regular CI will not be beneficial. Key translational research at numerous clinics investigating factors that affect hearing performance amongst patients, importance implantation children, tools pre-operative assessment candidates new concepts were pursued device. CE-mark used adults children down age 12 months without NF-2 granted 2017 mainly two long-term clinical studies pediatric population. This article covers milestones concept widespread use association MED-EL.