Abstract Otology 2000 B16-5

Dusan R. Milisavljevic MD, Zare Rankovic Dr., Ljiljana Milisavljevic MD, PhD, Milan Stankovic MD, PhD, Zoran Dimic MD, Zoran Radovanovic MD

University Clinic of ENT YU-Nis

Hearing loss is one of the serious complications of bacterial meningitis. The bacterial organisms most commonly associated with generalized meningitis having a sensorineural hearing loss sequela are Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes, in most cases sensory neural hearing loss is bilateral and severe to profound. The audiometry and tympanometry were used to detect this complication in fifteen patients who recovered from meningitis treated at the Clinic for infectious diseases and Otolaryngology Clinic Nis in the last year. Out of 15 patients 6 were infected by Pneumococcal, 4 with H. Influenzae, 2 with Listeria and 3 with Meningecoccal. There was a high incidence of Streptococcus and H. Influenza meningitis which resulted in high incidence of hearing impairment. The degree of hearing loss was varied from mild to profound. Out of 15 patients six patients had mild hearing loss (25 to 40dB), 4 had moderate (40 to 55 dB), 2 moderately-severe (55 to 70 dB) and 3 very severe hearing loss (70 to 100 dB). The nature of antibiotic therapy, duration of illness, age and sex of patients were not significant risk factors in the development of hearing loss. The site of disease resulting in hearing loss cannot be stated with certainty, but the involvement of the inner ear or auditory nerve was suspected. Early hearing loss in purulent meningitis does not always constitute an irreversible lesion. Bacterial meningitis is the single most important cause of acquired sensorineural hearing loss in patients and every attempt should be made to assess the patients hearing as soon after their recovery possible.