Auditory brainstem implant with congenital abnormality of the auditory nerves or cochlea for children
For a person to hear, sound must be converted into an electrical signal in the cochlea (structure found in the inner ear) and transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve (nerve responsible for hearing).
The auditory brainstem implant service is for children who have no functional hearing due to congenital abnormalities (present from birth) resulting in damage to the structures within the brain and ear responsible for hearing. The children referred to this service are those who wouldn’t benefit from conventional hearing aids or cochlear implants.
The clinic is made up of a multidisciplinary team consisting of audiologists, paediatricians, ENT specialists and speech and language therapists. Initially, the child will be assessed by the specialist who will conduct a range of tests to establish the extent of the child’s condition. These tests will include imaging such as MRI and CT scans, hearing and ear examinations, speech and language skills assessments, and more. The clinician will work with the child’s parents or guardians to devise a patient-centred plan and select an appropriate auditory brainstem device.
Following implantation, patients will require regular monitoring and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation programmes are offered to help the child adapt to their new device and develop communication skills. The aim of this service is to provide holistic care to patients and therefore patient and family education is a priority. This will allow patients and their families to understand the process, manage their expectations, and support the child’s ongoing development.
Credits:
Ines Djedje – University of Mancheser 5th year medical student