There is a microphone that picks up the sounds that are around it and the electrical signal is transmitted to the internal part of the hearing implant. The implant consists of a receiver barely beneath the skin that is positioned within the brainstem.
Some disadvantages of auditory brainstem implants are that the surgery can be very complex and dangerous. These risks of undergoing neurosurgery can affect a person’s overall wellbeing. Positioning the auditory brainstem implant device on the part of the brainstem that delivers sound is a difficult task to obtain. Differentiation of sounds can be difficult for the client receiving the ABI. This surgery opens doors for many other children that are born deaf because so far, the FDA has only approved for this surgery in patients that are twelve years of age. Since children’s brains are more adaptable, the device can be proven to be successful for complete hearing. This surgery can also help scientists study how the brain learns to hear and develop speech. Keck School of Medicine, Professor Robert Shannon says, “The ABI provides sound to hearing pathways so they grow and develop with the child” (Benet & Trinidad, 2014). Children with failure of an organ or tissue to develop or function normally in their ear and cochlea ossification can now be approved to receive an ABI. Being allowed ABI transplants in children open up possibilities for complete deaf children to develop language and be able to communicate with peers. Even with ABI’s children will not have normal hearing restored. Hearing aids and implants focus on allowing communication from 3-6 feet