Application of an Intraoperative Auditory Brainstem Response Measurement System in Active Middle Ear Implant Revision Surgery

ObjectiveTo investigate the benefit of intraoperative auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements in revision active middle ear implant surgery.Study designRetrospective data analysis.SettingTertiary referral center with a large active middle ear implant program.Main outcome measuresIntraoperative ABR thresholds, audiogram, sound field thresholds, speech understanding in the Freiburger monosyllabic word test.PatientsFourteen patients with active middle ear implant revision surgery.ResultsThe application of the ABR measurement resulted in improved sound field thresholds and enhanced speech understanding. Analysis revealed a significant correlation of intraoperative gain in ABR threshold with the postoperative gain in sound field thresholds.ConclusionABR monitoring can be a useful tool to provide information intraoperatively about the coupling efficiency of the FMT. Especially in revision surgeries, this might help to improve postoperative hearing success.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to investigate the benefit of intraoperative auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements in revision active middle ear implant surgery. Results showed that the application of ABR measurement improved sound field thresholds and enhanced speech understanding. Analysis revealed a significant correlation between intraoperative gain in ABR threshold and postoperative gain in sound field thresholds. Therefore, ABR monitoring can be a useful tool to improve postoperative hearing success, especially in revision surgeries.