Delayed perception of cochlear implant stimulation in children with postmeningitic ossified cochleae

A possible complication of postmeningitic deafness is cochlear ossification. Reports of immediate response to electrical stimulation despite this ossification have been encouraging. This report discusses three children who initially failed to perceive stimulation from their Nucleus multichannel cochlear implants. These patients showed no behavioral responses to any of 10 to 20 electrodes inserted into their ossified cochleae, even at maximum stimulus levels (1750 microA). Stimulus-response behavior had been well documented prior to implantation and was not considered a factor in their failure to respond. These patients continued to wear the speech processors programmed at maximum stimulus/current levels. Eventually, all three patients began responding following 5 to 12 months of device use. These results suggest that continued use of electrical stimulation may result in eventual perception.