The Sound And the Worry

By David Bjerklie

The cochlear implant is a technological miracle that has restored hearing to thousands of children with severe to profound hearing loss. But according to a study conducted by the FDA and the CDC, children who receive implants are more than 30 times as likely to develop bacterial meningitis infections. These infections, even when treated with antibiotics, are lethal in some 10% of cases.

This certainly doesn't mean parents should give up on implants. The risk of infection is still tiny. The study advises that all children getting implants have the shots (pneumococcal and Hib) that protect against meningitis. Also, parents should watch for warning signs of infection, such as a high fever and a stiff neck. --By David Bjerklie