Digisonic® SP ABI brainstem implant
A brainstem implant is typically recommended in cases where hearing loss is accompanied by large lesions in both cochleae, including deterioration of the auditory nerve. This can restore some degree of hearing and enable communication.
The Digisonic® SP ABI brainstem implant is designed to overcome severe to total deafness for people suffering from major damage to the cochleae or auditory nerves, which prevents cochlear implantation.
This includes people with:
• Major cochlear malformation
• Complete cochlear ossification
• Fracture of the petrous pyramid
• Axonal neuropathy
• Auditory nerve tumours (e.g. neuromas)
• Complete obliteration of both auditory nerves
Improved hearing for better quality of life
With the Digisonic® SP ABI brainstem implant, users receive auditory sensations that can facilitate communication and improve their quality of life1,2. It comes with an array of 15 surface electrodes that are attached to the cochlear nuclei of the brainstem. Depending on the signal processed by the external sound processor, each electrode stimulates a different region of the brainstem so that patients can perceive a wide range of sounds. The Digisonic® SP ABI brainstem implant can be used with the Saphyr® neo collection sound processor.
Part of the Digisonic® SP range
The Digisonic® SP ABI has some of the same competitive characteristics as the Digisonic® SP cochlear implant: a monobloc, compact receiver that integrates a unique fixation system. The quality of the chosen materials makes this device highly reliable. It is also compatible with MRI tests at 1.5 Tesla, commonly used in clinical practice.
Reference:
1. Vincent, C., Zini, C., Gandolfi, A., Triglia, J.M., Pellet, W., Truy, E., Fischer, G., Maurizi, M., Meglio, M., Lejeune, J.P., Vaneecloo, F.M. Results of MXM Digisonic auditory brainstem implant clinical trials in Europe. Otolology & Neurotology. 2002 Jan; 23:56–60.
2. Vincent, C., Venecloo, F.M., Schapira, S., Duhen-Tourelle, V., Allorge, D., Haddad, E., Lejeune, J.P., Vaneecloo, F.M. «The role of the Digisonic ABI in the management of neurofibromatosis type 2. International Workshop on Neurofibromatosis Type 2: State of the Art, 7–9 September 2006.