ABI... pls help me decide. im very confused

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pink-studs

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Most readers are familiar with the cochlear implant (CI), but how many have heard of a related device called the auditory brainstem implant (ABI)? The ABI, like the CI, replaces part of the hearing mechanism that is not working properly. Whereas the CI is implanted in the cochlea and replaces the function of defective hair cells, the ABI is implanted in the brainstem, and replaces the function of a defective auditory nerve.

Hi, Do we have any ABI user in the community?
If so could u tell me what u learnt from using it.

many thanks
 
Yes, I heard of them. They are for a select group of people. Very few people have those. As far as I know they are still considered experimental at this point. People who get one typically have a certain kind of tumor (benign) that grows on the Cochlear Nerve. The biggest problem of ABIs is the fact that it is they can't be reliably be inserted into the auditory nerve brainstem area. The area is very small and difficult to work with. In addition, this is a form of brain surgery which can be problematical at times. Cochlear implants have nothing to do with the brain itself.

There is nothing to decide about getting one unless you are recommended to get one by a medical specialist. If one can have a CI, then a ABI is not an option. If one is getting a ABI, there is no way to get a CI. It is the nature of the beast.

Just google ABI and you will find more info about them.
 
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thanks for that.
yes, like u said: they are for a selected gruop of ppl... ppl with NF2 with benign tumours..

i have been offered by my professors and have been doing some research on the ABI. i still cant decide if i want it. It is a hard decision
unlike CI or other hearing aids it is not gonna make me hear a whole lot more or even close . it will assist in speech reading/ lip regonition and after some time i will be able to tell environmental sounds. i was told it was designed with safety in mind for it's users and yes it is still considered experimental.... kinda hard a decision here.... im sick of being a labrab really...hehehehehehe

thanks for your reply :)
 
Ahh! I misunderstood you. Sorry.

I thought you trying to decide which "device" you would choose for yourself. Obviously, you appear to be a candidate for a ABI not a CI. Ummm, I can't really tell you much about them either personally or from others. I read about a lady who got one (Reader's Digest). I believe she used to have a CI but had to go to a ABI due to the tumor problem (they weren't an issue when she got the CI). If I recall, she did very well with it and it was comparable to her CI.

As you said, getting a ABI is a much tougher decision than with a CI. I don't envy you there. I would say it comes down to whether you would like to have some hearing as opposed to none. It may come out much better than one would have expected it to.

In any case, best success on your decision!
 
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