Application of the Auditory Nerve Test System (ANTS) in candidates for cochlear implantation - case series and literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.3156Keywords:
Auditory nerve test system (ANTS), cochlear implant, cochlear nerve, auditory brain stem evoked responseAbstract
Objectives: To evaluate cochlear nerve function, an essential requirement for cochlear implantation (CI), using the Auditory Nerve Test System (ANTS).
Materials and Methods: We present the initial experience of our department through three clinical cases of CI candidates with risk factors for cochlear nerve dysfunction who underwent intraoperative assessment with ANTS, followed by an immediate decision regarding CI placement.
Results: In two cases, a robust electrical response was recorded with ANTS, suggesting functional integrity of the cochlear nerve, and CI implantation was performed with favourable clinical outcomes. In the remaining case, the absence of a neural response led to the decision not to implant a CI, considering the low likelihood of auditory benefit.
Conclusion: ANTS is an objective and reliable tool for intraoperative assessment of cochlear nerve functionality during cochlear implantation in selected cases.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ana Raquel Andrade, Maria Conceição Peixoto, Miguel C. Lopes, Luciana Rodrigues, Diogo Nascimento, Hugo Amorim, Paulo Gonçalves
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