Auditory Brainstem Implant Array Position Varies Widely Among Adult and Pediatric Patients and Is Associated With Perception.
Samuel R Barber, Elliott D Kozin, Aaron K Remenschneider and 6 others
PMID 28700445WHAT IT FOUND
ABI electrode position varied widely among 11 patients.
Specific orientations were associated with lower hearing thresholds and fewer side effects. Arrays tilted medially or laterally often caused non-auditory sensations like facial twitching or gagging.
Key findings
01Array orientation was associated with perceptual thresholds, with Type A arrays showing lower thresholds and 'sweet spots' of effective electrodes.
02Side effects such as facial twitching, gagging, and trigeminal sensations were linked to specific array orientations (Types B, D, IV) and positions relative to brainstem anatomy.
03Pitch perception generally increased from anterior to posterior across the cochlear nucleus, suggesting a tonotopic map, though this was not seen in all subjects.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Small sample size (11 patients) limits generalizability. Adults and children were compared, but head size and brainstem anatomy differences (especially tumor effects in adults) make direct comparisons difficult. Children with limited language skills may not reliably report side effects, potentially underestimating their frequency. The exact location of the array on the brainstem surface is not known, so anatomical correlations are inferred rather than confirmed.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a specific array orientation guarantees better speech perception. The study shows associations with thresholds and side effects, but does not demonstrate that these positional types lead to improved functional hearing or speech outcomes.