Brainstem implant offers hope for children born without hearing nerves
NCT ID NCT02310399
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests an auditory brainstem implant in 20 children who are deaf because they are missing the inner ear or the nerve that carries sound to the brain. The device is surgically placed to stimulate the brainstem directly, bypassing the missing parts. Researchers will monitor safety and measure any improvements in hearing and speech over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Nucleus ABI541 Auditory Brainstem Implant (a surgically implanted device that stimulates the brainstem to produce hearing sensations)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a new hearing option for children who cannot benefit from cochlear implants, potentially improving their ability to perceive sound and develop speech.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early feasibility study with only 20 children, so results may not apply widely. The surgery carries risks like infection or device complications, and hearing gains may be limited.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
NYU Cochlear Implant Center
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10016, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.