Article
Cochlear implantation in case of deaf-blindness following meningitis
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | September 22, 2005 |
---|
Outline
Text
Introduction: Cochlear implantation is a well established procedure for hearing restoration in pre- and postlingually deaf patients. Due to the very limited capabilities of communication, cochlear implantation in deaf-blind patients require special standards for preoperative examinations and postoperative rehabilitation.
Methods: We report on a 68 year old female, who went deaf and blind following a pneumococcal meningitis. Preoperative findings, intraoperative complications and the postoperative rehabilitation process were analyzed. We examined the quality of life of the patient by using a standardized questionnaire.
Results: Following a vitrektomy on both eyes due to a exsudative amotio retinae we implanted the Pulsar® implant by MED-EL bilaterally. Interaoperatively minor ossifications of the cochlea were seen, which caused no difficulties in a full insertion of the array. The audiological rehabilitation was realized by means of tactile stimulation. Three months after implantation the patient reached 100% multi- and 55% monosyllabic word recognition. The patient and her family reported on a improving quality of life with the cochlear implant. There are only minor improvements in the residual vision of the patient.
Conclusion: Considering the very limited capabilities of communication and the high motivation in case of deaf-blindness, there is a recognizable benefit in these patients after cochlear implantation. However a very intensive rehabilitation process in deaf-blind patients is essentially required.