auditory brainstem implant


auditory brainstem implant

An auditory prosthesis that bypasses the cochlea and auditory nerve and partially restores hearing by directly stimulating the cochlear nucleus complex. This type of implant helps those with retrocochlear deafness. The implant electrode is inserted directly into the auditory brainstem and is used for those who cannot benefit from cochlear implants because of lesions of the cochlea and/or auditory nerve. It has been used to treat patients who have undergone surgical excision of an acoustic neuroma. Synonym: brainstem implantSee also: implant