Auditory Brainstem Implant Outcomes in Tumor and Nontumor Patients: A Systematic Review

Abstract Objective To elucidate the differences in auditory performance between auditory brainstem implant (ABI) patients with tumor or nontumor etiologies. Data Sources PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection from 1990 to 2021. Review Methods We included published studies with 5 or more pediatric or adult ABI users. Auditory outcomes and side effects were analyzed with weighted means for closed‐set, open‐set speech, and categories of auditory performance (CAP) scores. Overall performance was compared using an Adult Pediatric Ranked Order Speech Perception (APROSPER) scale created for this study. Results Thirty‐six studies were included and underwent full‐text review. Data were extracted for 662 tumor and 267 nontumor patients. 83% were postlingually deafened and 17% were prelingually deafened. Studies that included tumor ABI patients had a weighted mean speech recognition of 39.2% (range: 19.6%‐83.3%) for closed‐set words, 23.4% (range: 17.2%‐37.5%) for open‐set words, 21.5% (range: 2.7%‐48.4%) for open‐set sentences, and 3.1 (range: 1.0‐3.2) for CAP scores. Studies including nontumor ABI patients had a weighted mean speech recognition of 79.8% (range: 31.7%‐84.4%) for closed‐set words, 53.0% (range: 14.6%‐72.5%) for open‐set sentences, and 2.30 (range: 2.0‐4.7) for CAP scores. Mean APROSPER results indicate better auditory performance among nontumor versus tumor patients (3.5 vs 3.0, P = .04). Differences in most common side effects were also observed between tumor and nontumor ABI patients. Conclusion Auditory performance is similar for tumor and nontumor patients for standardized auditory test scores. However, the APROSPER scale demonstrates better ABI performance for nontumor compared to tumor patients.