tumor & Cochlear implant

[eye on future]

Hello, I am new here I have bilateral meniere's disease my right side is deaf, the left side is going deaf. They have found an acoustic neuroma on the right side while checking with a MRI for a CI on the right side. The dr. is discussing taking the tumor out and putting the cochlear implant in all in the same operation. Has anyone had this done or heard of it being done? Thanks

[nftwoed]

Hi;
   Yes, I've heard of it. Placing the CI is a simple matter and what better time than when the labyrinth's 'round window' is exposed? That is generally the point of insertion to gain access to the cochlea.

[opp2]

Forgive my lack of knowledge. Would the cochlear implant not require a functioning acoustic nerve?

[eye on future]

The specialist says they only need 10% of the hearing nerve to make it work. So in this operation they would try to save at least that much and more if possible.

[opp2]

I have 100 percent of my hearing nerve, it just doesn't work any more.

[nftwoed]

Hello;
   I'm so sorry to read that. Many with NF-2 have surgery and the nerve is salvaged, but, histologically unable to provide the auditory nucleus with the signal it needs.
   If it is bilateral, an ABI will be offered. HEI has been doing bilateral ABIs ( 12 ) and it's the second one which makes a real difference ( offers binaural hearing ). It's up to about 25% open set speech discrimination now.
   I hope you have another ear!

[eye on future]

opp2 Do you have a Cochlear Implant and no hearing ?

[nftwoed]

Hi;

   I've been avoiding the CI for now, for two reasons; They will not remove the AN, and they cannot prove the cochlea is damaged. Even some with normal hearing have no ota acoustic emissions.
   Phonak, and I continue limping along.  A CI has potential to make hearing worse also.

[opp2]

No I had an AN removed July 6 2010. Before surgery I had excellent hearing.

[nftwoed]

Hi;

   Then, if the nerve is intact and you are a candidate, a CI 'may' restore your hearing to a degree. A House Dr. told me several of his CI pts. were completely tone deaf before implantation and now, have varying degrees of speech recognition.
   It would take some promontary stimulation to know if the CI were going to work or not.
   I had mentioned in another post that in NF-2, sometimes the nerve itself is salvaged, but is not histologically able to carry sound input. That situation is likely a little different than yours ... 'maybe'?

[opp2]

"The presence of auditory nerve fibers is essential to the functioning of the device: if these are damaged to such an extent that they cannot receive electrical stimuli, the implant will not work. Some individuals with severe auditory neuropathy may also benefit from cochlear implants."

Not for me I'm afraid.. I'm sure that some day there will be some kind of nerve regeneration therapy for those of us who have suffered damage to the nerve. In the meantime I get by pretty good. I'm pretty darn careful these days in regard to the other ear.

[nftwoed]

""The presence of auditory nerve fibers is essential to the functioning of the device". < Say, 10%? Far less than most think.