Cochlear implants are electronic devices that allow sound perception in some people with profound sensorineural deafhess. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently identified a possible association between cochlear implants and bacterial meningitis in 52 people worldwide. The meningitis occurred in children and adults aged 21 months to 72 years and included 12 deaths. The onset of meningitis symptoms ranged from less than 24 hours to more than 5 years after insertion of the implant, and most of the organisms isolated in 14 cases were Streptococcus pneuraoniae. Vaccination histories against pneumococcus were known for 6 of the individuals, and none had been vaccinated.
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