PURPOSE: to study important aspects about auditory brainstem implant, such as concept, purpose, methods of implantation, indication of the procedure and benefits. METHODS: a compilation was carried out of the available works in LILACS, MEDLINE and SCIELO databases, using the descriptors: auditory brainstem implantation, rehabilitation of hearing impaired, sensorineural hearing loss, otologic surgical procedures. RESULTS: the auditory brainstem implant is similar to cochlear Implant, except for the configuration of the electrode that is designed to be placed in the cochlear nucleus complex, at the brain stem. It was developed originally to restore the hearing in patients with absence of or injury in the cochlear nerve. Today it is indicated for patients who for anatomical or functional reasons can not receive electric stimulations by the inner ear, as in cases of malformation/absence of cochlear nerve, ossified cochleae, and auditory neuropathy. The effects showed are hearing recovery in patients with total hearing loss, levels of detection obtained discrimination of sounds similar to those obtained with cochlear Implant and access to environmental and speech sounds. CONCLUSIONS: the auditory brainstem implant provides hearing recovery in subjects that are not benefited by the use of hearing aids and cochlear Implant. Almost the totality of the implanted patients got some communication benefit.
Auditory Brain Stem Implantation; Rehabilitation of Hearing Impaired; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Otologic Surgical Procedures
