Planning for and Working With Children With an Auditory Brainstem Implant: What Therapists Need to Know

Introduction Investigations of auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) in children started around 2012 in the United States. The team at the University of Southern California-Caruso Family Center for Childhood Communication began seeing children, implanted abroad, in 2006. ABIs are indicated for children who cannot benefit from cochlear implants (CIs). The habilitation and educational needs of children with ABIs versus CIs differ. Purpose This document provides information professionals can use when implementing habilitation programs for children with ABIs. Method The University of Southern California-Caruso Family Center for Childhood Communication, as part of the Los Angeles Pediatric ABI team, is conducting an ABI safety and feasibility clinical trial. This article shares experiences from the viewpoint of a multidisciplinary team. The article provides background knowledge, an outcomes review, and considerations to guide ABI intervention. Results ABIs and CIs differ in the acoustic information they provide. ...