Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Current techniques in management of postmeningitic deafness in children
1Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Section of Otology and Neurotology, Children's Memorial Hospital, 2300 Children's Plaza, Box 265, Chicago, IL 60614, USA. nyoung@childrensmemorial.org
Insights
Pneumococcal vaccination did not prevent meningitis-related deafness in children, but early cochlear implantation was successful. This highlights the need for continued vigilance and timely intervention for hearing loss in these high-risk children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Pneumococcal meningitis can cause profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in children.
- Children with postmeningitic deafness are at high risk for cochlear ossification, complicating cochlear implantation.
- Pneumococcal vaccination has reduced but not eliminated the incidence of pneumococcal disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pneumococcal vaccination status in children with postmeningitic deafness.
- To review the approach for timely cochlear implantation in this high-risk pediatric population.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of early bilateral cochlear implantation in children with postmeningitic hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of imaging studies and test results for five children (15 months to 10 years) with recent postmeningitic deafness.
- Preoperative 3D heavily T2-weighted MRI and auditory steady-state response testing were utilized.
- All children underwent bilateral cochlear implantation with assessment of electrode insertion.
Main Results:
- All five children developed meningitis despite documented pneumococcal vaccination.
- Complete cochlear electrode insertion was achieved in both ears for all patients.
- No complications related to cochlear ossification were reported during implantation.
Conclusions:
- Pneumococcal vaccination is not fully protective against meningitis-induced deafness.
- 3D MRI and auditory steady-state response testing facilitate rapid evaluation for cochlear implant candidacy.
- Early, simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation improves hearing outcomes and addresses the risk of cochlear ossification in children with postmeningitic deafness.
Objectives:
To determine pneumococcal vaccination status of children with recent postmeningitic deafness and to review our current approach for achieving early implantation in this special population that is at significant risk for cochlear ossification.
Design:
Review of imaging studies and test results.
Setting:
Tertiary care/referral children's hospital.
Patients:
Five children ranging in age from 15 months to 10 years who experienced recent onset of profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to pneumococcal meningitis.
Interventions:
All children underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging with 3-dimensional heavily T2-weighted steady-state free precession sequences. Four children underwent auditory steady-state response testing. All underwent bilateral cochlear implantation.
Main Outcome Measure:
Degree of electrode insertion using standard surgical procedures.
Results:
All children developed meningitis despite a history of pneumococcal vaccination. Complete electrode insertion in both ears was achieved.
Conclusions:
Pneumococcal vaccination has reduced but not eliminated childhood deafness secondary to pneumococcal disease. Auditory steady-state response testing and 3-dimensional steady-state free precession imaging are modalities that expedite candidacy evaluation of this population. Early bilateral simultaneous implantation increases the likelihood of binaural hearing and ensures implantation of the better ear in this population of children whose course is often complicated by formation of scar tissue and ossification within the cochlea.
More Related Videos
03:49Enhanced Cochlear Coverage and Hearing Preservation in High-Frequency Hearing Loss via Electric Acoustic Stimulation with Longer Electrode
Published on: October 11, 2024
09:18A Comparative Study of Drug Delivery Methods Targeted to the Mouse Inner Ear: Bullostomy Versus Transtympanic Injection
Published on: March 8, 2017
