Bilateral auditory brainstem implantation in a patient with neurofibromatosis type II.

Rapid development of electronic hearing prostheses has allowed for the introduction of auditory brainstem implants (ABI) in patients with neurofibromatosis type II (NF2). In Poland, the Programme of Auditory Brainstem Implants commenced in January 1998 in close cooperation with the Ear, Nose, Throat and Neurosurgery Clinics of the University of Wurzburg and Klinikum Fulda, Germany (Skarzynski et al, 2000a). Since that time, there have been significant improvements in rehabilitation after implantation (Skarzynski et al, 2000b). Although the number of ABI patients world-wide has markedly increased in recent years, many of the factors associated with a successful outcome still remain unknown.