Could antioxidant therapy reduce the incidence of deafness following bacterial meningitis?

Sensorineural hearing loss following acute bacterial meningitis could be caused by hydroxyl radicals generated by the inflammatory response. Obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid circulation through the tela choroidae of the choroid plexuses, with subsequent rupture of the tela choroidae, would expose the auditory nerve to selective radical damage. Acute administration of lipophilic antioxidants might provide the auditory nerve with increased protection.