title: Methods and preliminary outcomes of pediatric auditory brainstem implantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to provide information about methods used and preliminary outcomes for pediatric ABI (auditory brainstem implant).
  
  
  METHODS
  An analysis of outcome was performed in children who received an ABI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve children received a MED-EL ABI system. Progress in audition and language was monitored through parental reports, questionnaires, profiles, and closed-set tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median number of active electrodes was 9 of 12. Seven of 12 users consistently respond to sound, and 5 of 12 do not. Highest performers can recognize words in small sets and have begun to use some words.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Auditory brainstem implants appear to be beneficial for some pediatric patients who cannot benefit from traditional cochlear implant surgery. Benefits in the short-term can be recognition of environmental sounds, recognition of some words and very commonly used phrases, and the beginning use of words. Although some of our ABI users demonstrate no response to sound, they do want to wear their sound processors all waking hours. The cause of lack of response may be related to the second intervention, which might have led to displacement of the electrode array, or presence of additional handicaps or syndromes. However, the results are less than optimal. The relatively short postoperative follow-up duration is a considered weakness of this study.
authors.forename: Yildirim A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Bayazit
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kosaner
authors.forename: Betul Cicek
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Cinar
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atac
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tutar
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gunduz
authors.forename: Senay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Altinyay
authors.forename: Cagil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gokdogan
authors.forename: Ayca
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ant
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozdek
authors.forename: Nebil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goksu
mesh_terms: D038263:Auditory Brain Stem Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D038262:Auditory Brain Stem Implants; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D013016:Sound; D013065:Speech Intelligibility