Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi experts restore genetically induced hearing loss in young patient

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi experts restore genetically induced hearing loss in young patient

- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi joins exclusive list of worldwide centers offering auditory brainstem implant surgery

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a Mubadala Health partner, performed a groundbreaking auditory brainstem implant (ABI) on a near-deaf patient suffering from a genetic disease that led to multiple large benign intracranial tumors, resulting in near total hearing loss. The implant was the available option for the patient to recover some hearing and not go completely deaf.

Shaikh Shamshuddin, a 36-year-old male, had neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition, that had, over time, led to the growth of several benign brain tumors. He underwent surgery at another hospital that was unable to remove all of his tumors. His condition worsened, and he developed two large tumors in his brain that were compressing crucial areas that impacted his hearing.

By the time he was admitted to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, he was experiencing nearly complete hearing loss and his family had become increasingly concerned about his condition.

“I couldn't hear through both my ears, and we were praying to get a good doctor and a good hospital,” says Shaikh.

As his condition deteriorated the family turned to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where Dr. Florian Roser, Chair of the