Hearing assessment after meningitis and meningococcal disease

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Audiology

Background:

• Meningitis and meningococcal disease can cause hearing loss in children.
• Auditory screening is crucial for early detection of hearing impairment following these infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To audit a method for increasing audiology referrals in children after meningitis or meningococcal disease.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized proforma in improving referral rates.
• To identify barriers to hearing testing despite increased referrals.

Main Methods:

• A prospective audit of 89 children diagnosed with meningitis or meningococcal disease.
• Implementation of a standardized proforma to guide audiology referrals.
• Analysis of referral rates and hearing test completion over a two-year period.

Main Results:

• Referral rates for audiology increased from 78% to 96% after implementing the standardized proforma.
• Despite improved referrals, only 73% of children completed a hearing test.
• The primary barrier shifted from non-referral to non-attendance for scheduled hearing tests.

Conclusions:

• A standardized proforma is effective in increasing audiology referrals for children post-meningitis or meningococcal disease.
• Non-attendance remains a significant barrier to audiology assessment, necessitating strategies to improve patient engagement.
• Further interventions are needed to ensure children receive timely hearing tests after serious infections.