Clinical Trial: Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) in Adult Non-Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Subjects

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

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

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 Summary: 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.
Sponsor: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Perioperative and postoperative complications [ Time Frame: 5 years from date of surgery ]
    We will track any major and minor complications intraoperatively and postoperatively in all study participants.
  • Audiologic performance [ Time Frame: 5 years from date of surgery ]
    We will complete physiological, psychophysical, and speech based tests to determine audiologic performance following ABI surgery.
  • ABI electrophysiologic parameters [ Time Frame: 5 years from date of surgery ]
    We will examine parameters for electrode activation postoperatively in all study participants.


Original Primary Outcome:

  • Peri-operative and post-operative complications [ Time Frame: 5 years from date of surgery ]
    We will track any major and minor complications intra-operatively and post-operatively in all study participants.
  • Audiologic performance [ Time Frame: 5 years from date of surgery ]
    We will complete physiological, psychophysical, and speech based tests to determine audiologic performance following ABI surgery.
  • ABI electophysiologic parameters [ Time Frame: 5 years from date of surgery ]
    We will examine parameters for electrode activation post-operatively in all study participants.


Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Dates:
Date Received: November 26, 2012
Date Started: November 2012
Date Completion: November 2022
Last Updated: April 3, 2017
Last Verified: April 2017