OBJECTIVES: To better understand the implications of tumor size on auditory brainstem implant (ABI) categories of auditory performance (CAP) score to facilitate more precise patient counselling.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Tumor size should be considered in pre-surgical counseling for ABI candidates — particularly in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) or other cerebellopontine angle tumor patients — as it may help set realistic expectations for auditory performance outcomes.
Identifying reliable predictors of ABI outcomes is critical for improving patient selection and pre-operative counseling in a population where hearing rehabilitation options are severely limited.
- 01Tumor size was examined as a predictor of auditory brainstem implant (ABI) performance after surgery.
- 02Outcome measured using Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) scores — a standardized hearing function scale.
- 03Published in Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B (2026); peer-reviewed.
- 04Findings could inform patient selection and surgical planning for ABI.
- 05Study is specific to patients who have lost hearing due to tumors affecting the auditory nerve.
Tumor size has a significant effect on auditory brainstem implant (ABI) Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) scores.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42626473
- DOI
- 10.1055/a-2706-1437.
- Journal
- Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients who received auditory brainstem implants following cerebellopontine angle tumor resection
- Intervention
- Auditory brainstem implant (ABI) after tumor resection
Primary outcomes
Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) scores post-ABI; Relationship between preoperative tumor size and CAP scores