Factors affecting the outcomes of cochlear implantation for postmeningitically deafened children

The aim of this study was to highlight key factors influencing the success of cochlear implantation and the educational placements of postmeningitically deafened children. This retrospective study identified 56 postmeningitically deafened children (diagnosed between 4-140 months of age) with no diagnosed cognitive impairment. It compared the age of diagnosis (categorised as prelingual, <36 months of age, and postlingual, ≥ 36 months of age) and delay of implantation (early ≤ 12 months, late > 12 months) with the medical/surgical outcomes (i.e., whether drilling was required for implant insertion and the type of insertion/ electrode array used). Additionally, whether educational support was provided throughout the years of preschool to high school was considered as a very broad measure of functional performance. Fortyeight participants (86%) acquired postmeningitic deafness prelingually and 34 (61%) participants were implanted early. This suggests that delays in implantation from the time of diagnosis do not influence whether surgical drilling is required or the likelihood of full insertion of the implant. Further, none of these medical or surgical variables appear to influence the functional outcome of the child. This suggests that the age of diagnosis, delay of implantation and presence of cochlear ossification do not significantly influence the successful outcome of implantation.