Pediatric Auditory Brainstem Implant

For some children with profound hearing loss, an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) can significantly improve their ability to hear.

Hassenfeld Children鈥檚 Hospital at 黑料福利社 Langone is one of a few centers nationwide treating patients as young as 18 months by surgically implanting these devices. We treat more children with ABI than any other center in the United States. Families all over the world are referred to our care team.

About Pediatric ABI

A pediatric auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is a device to help children who cannot benefit from cochlear implants. The device is surgically implanted in your child鈥檚 brainstem and works by picking up sounds through a processor worn above the ear.

Unlike cochlear implants that stimulate the cochlear nerve, the ABI bypasses the cochlear nerve and sends signals directly to an electrode paddle placed on the auditory part of the brainstem. These signals travel to the auditory cortex, where they are perceived as sound.

Conditions We Treat

We treat young people experiencing profound hearing loss who are not candidates for cochlear implants. This includes children born with a missing or thin cochlear nerve, and those with cochlear damage due to infections, such as meningitis or trauma. In certain cases, we consider ABI for children who have previous cochlear implants that are not working as expected.

How We Evaluate Candidates for ABI

Our team begins by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of your child, including electrophysiologic testing, auditory brainstem response testing, and an MRI scan to examine the inner ear structures, including the cochlea. Based on our findings, we discuss the potential benefits and risks of the device and the ABI procedure for your child鈥檚 condition.

What to Expect During and After Surgery

If an ABI is recommended for your child, the procedure is performed by our highly skilled team, including an otolaryngologist, a neurosurgeon, and audiologists. During surgery, the device鈥檚 electrodes are tested to ensure optimal positioning and performance. Testing also ensures that the device is safely stimulating auditory signals without causing non-auditory effects, such as vagus nerve stimulation.

After the surgery, your child stays in the hospital for about two days for monitoring. Approximately three weeks later, the ABI is activated, and an audiologist provides the initial programming of the device.

During ongoing rehabilitation, an audiologist helps your child learn to recognize sounds and make necessary adjustments.

Benefits and Risks of ABI

For children with absent or deficient cochlear nerves or severe cochlear malformations, an ABI may be an effective treatment. By helping to restore some sensation of sound, an ABI may improve your child鈥檚 quality of life. Through rehabilitation, children can also develop better communication and speech skills, enhancing their ability to interact with others. Many develop oral language.

ABI has a low complication rate, but as with any surgery, our team discusses potential risks and side effects as well as device limitations. We want to help you make the best decision possible for your child鈥檚 hearing health and wellbeing.

Our Expert Team

Our team of doctors and neuroscientists are at the forefront of ABI research, continually seeking new ways to improve the effectiveness of these devices. We aim to give every child the hope for improved sound awareness, communication, and speech development.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact the Cochlear Implant Center at 212-263-7567.