THE RESTORATION OF HEARING IN NEUROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE-2

Central electrical stimulation of the auditory pathway can allow heari ng in patients suffering from deafness localized in the auditory nerve . Developments in a multi-channel auditory brainstem implant based on the Nucleus Mini 22 Cochlear implant with transcutaneous signal transm ission is discussed. The devices have been implanted in nine European patients suffering from Neurofibromatosis Type 2. Preliminary speech p erception results and patient satisfaction are encouraging, and the da ta presented include some limited open speech recognition.