Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Auditory brainstem implants help bypass damaged/absent cochlear nerves and stimulate the cochlear nucleus in the brainstem directly restoring auditory sensation. Auditory brain stem implants (ABI) have been used in neurofibromatosis type II (NF 2) patients with bilateral vestibular schwannomas over the past decade. The primary aim of ABI in patients with NF 2 is the recovery of hearing after reducing or extirpating the tumor. The indications for ABI have expanded onto pediatric population (non-tumoral cases) with congenital bilateral cochlear nerve aplasia / hypoplasia. In such cases, the ABI helps stimulate the cochlear nucleus directly thereby restoring auditory sensation. This surgery requires a team effort involving the neuro-otologist, neuro-surgeon, neuro-anesthetist and the implant audiologist. In this presentation, the author will describe his experience with ABI in the pediatric population.

Biography

Mohan Kameswaran is the Managing Director & Senior ENT Consultant of Madras ENT Research Foundation and Adjunct Professor at the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R.Medical University, Chennai. He is one of the pioneers of Cochlear Implant Surgery in India and was responsible for starting Cochlear Implant surgery in many cities in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria & Nepal. He is the First Surgeon in South and South East Asia to have performed the Auditory Brainstem Implant. He is the Founder President of Cochlear Implant Group of India. He has been a recipient of the ?Padma Shri? National Award by the Government of India in 2006.