Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) in Adult Non-Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Subjects

The following info and data is provided "as is" to help patients around the globe.
We do not endorse or review these studies in any way.

Trial Identification

Brief Title: Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) in Adult Non-Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Subjects

Official Title: Study of Nucleus 24 and ABI541 Auditory Brainstem Implants (ABI) in Adult Non-Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Subjects

Study ID: NCT01736267

Conditions

Bilateral Hearing Loss for Causes Other Than Tumors

Interventions

Nucleus 24 (discontinued) and ABI541 Auditory Brainstem Implants (ABI)

Study Description

Brief Summary: The purpose of this research study is to determine whether Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) can improve hearing in persons who are deaf in both ears and are not candidates for cochlear implants.

Detailed Description: The goal of this MEEI Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) research study is to find new ways to improve hearing in patients who are deaf and cannot receive a cochlear implant. The ABI is a surgically placed bionic implant that converts sounds into electrical signals that are directly transmitted to the cochlear nucleus, the first auditory center of the brain. For many years, ABIs have improved the hearing of patients who are deaf due to brain tumors associated with a genetic syndrome called Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). However, a number of recent studies suggest that deaf patients who do not have NF2 and are not eligible for a cochlear implant may also benefit from placement of an ABI. These preliminary studies suggest that these non-NF2 or "nontumor" patients may actually have better outcomes after ABI surgery than patients suffering from NF2. Patients who do not have NF2 and are deaf due to damage to the hearing nerves or inner ears from infection, disease or injury are not cochlear implant candidates and there are no other options to improve hearing in these cases except for the ABI. Thus, the purpose of our study is to carefully analyze whether ABI surgery improves the hearing and quality of life of non-NF2 patients based on subjective and objective measures of their hearing before and after ABI surgery. In particular, we plan to study ABI outcomes in non-NF2 patients, characterize the parameters used on their devices, and determine the safety profile of ABIs in these patients.