Monitoring residual hearing during cochlear implantation by intra-operative brainstem audiometry

ctive Aim of this paper is to prove the applicability of intra-operative recordings of auditory brainstem responses during cochlear implantation. Methods The clinical practicability of intra-operative monitoring of hearing thresholds (Notched-Noise BERA, Amplitude Modulation Following Response [AMFR]) is presented in the respective case. The recordings were performed prior to the cochlear implantation and were compared with those obtained during and after cochlear implantation. Results It is demonstrated that the patientʹs cochlear function can be monitored; residual hearing is available after surgery. Conclusion The possibility of monitoring of hearing thresholds may add some security to the concept of electric-acoustic stimulation.