Shaare Zedek Medical Center is proud to be among a handful of hospitals around the world who offer one of the most advanced hearing procedures, Auditory Brainstem Implants (ABI).  The implant replaces a missing or damaged auditory nerve in the inner ear that causes the person to be deaf. After the successful surgery, the young patient has a long road ahead to master the skills necessary to enhance his communication abilities.

Hearing loss is the most common birth defect in Israel and affects about three out of every 1,000 newborns. In addition, in up to three percent more children, hearing loss develops after birth due to infections or drugs. ABI offers some children born deaf with the opportunity to hear again. The surgery requires a multidisciplinary team as well as a skilled team to help with the rehabilitation following the surgery.

Dr. Ronen Perez, Director of our Otology Unit and Prof. Jean-Yves Sichel, Head of our Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery explained, “We were very grateful to the team from New York University Langone Medical Center who joined us to perform this unique operation… The addition of Dr. Nevo Margalit, Director of our Neurosurgery Department who is an expert in surgery in the base of the skull, made it possible to access the brain stem and perform the implant. Now, our team of audiologists, along with the therapists from the AV Israel Center, are working with the young patient to help him learn how to use his new skills to hear and interact with the world around him. He has started the process and is progressing nicely.”

Please read this article for more information.