Cochlear implantation in auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders: role of transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses and serial neural response telemetry

Objective To evaluate the utility of pre-operative transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses and post-operative neural response telemetry in auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder patients. Methods Four auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder patients who had undergone cochlear implantation and used it for more than one year were studied. All four patients underwent pre-operative transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem response testing, intra-operative and post-operative (at 3, 6 and 12 months after switch-on) neural response telemetry, and out-patient cochlear implant electrically evoked auditory brainstem response testing (at 12 months). Results Patients with better waveforms on transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem response testing showed superior performance after one year of implant use. Neural response telemetry and electrically evoked auditory brainstem response measures improved in all patients. Conclusion Inferences related to cochlear implantation outcomes can be based on the waveform of transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses. Robust transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses suggest better performance. Improvements in electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses and neural response telemetry over time indicate that electrical stimulation is favourable in auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder patients. These measures provide an objective way to monitor changes and progress in auditory pathways following cochlear implantation.

Automated summary

This study highlights the significance of pre-operative transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses and post-operative neural response telemetry in evaluating cochlear implant outcomes for auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder patients. Patients with better waveforms on transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem response testing showed superior performance after one year of implant use. Improvements in neural response telemetry and electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses over time suggest that electrical stimulation is beneficial in this patient population.