Two children implanted with the Advanced Bionics cochlear implant with positioner died within the past year from infections. The children were between the ages of nine and 11. Neither child was fully vaccinated according to the CDC recommended vaccination schedule for pneumococcal disease. It is believed that one of these children died from meningitis caused by a serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which may have been prevented by full vaccination.

Some parents of children with cochlear implants were asked to complete surveys about their children’s vaccinations. Nearly half of the parents surveyed did not know if their child over the age of two years was fully vaccinated. Parents of cochlear implant patients need to become aware of the increased risk of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and the importance of making sure their child is fully vaccinated. Children implanted with cochlear implants with a positioner component are at greatest risk. This particular model of cochlear implant was withdrawn from the market in July 2002.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends reviewing your child’s immunization records with your doctor and going to CDC’s website for vaccination recommendations.All children with cochlear implants need to be monitored closely for meningitis and middle ear infections.

Contact your doctor immediately if your child has any symptoms of meningitis or middle ear infection. You may want to remind your doctor when you call that your child has a cochlear implant.

Symptoms of meningitis or middle ear infection may include:

high fever
headache
stiff neck
nausea
vomiting
irritability
discomfort looking into bright lights
sleepiness or tiredness
confusion
ear pain
hearing loss
appetite loss

The positioner referred to in the article is a small rubber wedge that helps the physician position the implant during surgery.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain and spinal cord, which can be fatal.

Contact the CDC Immunization Center for any questions or information you may need. That telephone number is 800-232-4636. The TTY number is 888-232-6348.

Information for caregivers/patients with cochlear implants
Information for health care providers
For general information on cochlear implants

Deaf children as young as 12 months and adults of all ages are considered candidates for a cochlear implant if they have severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (greater than 70 dB) in both ears. Cochlear implants are covered by most private health insurance carriers and Medicare, and are available at leading medical centers around the world.

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Meningitis vaccinations Prevnar® 7-valent (PCV), for children less than 2 years old, and Pneumovax® 23-valent (PPV), for children 2 years and older beginning on their 2nd birthday, are available as vaccinations to protect against Pneumococcal meningitis.

Advanced Bionics will reimburse out-of-pocket Pneumococcal meningitis vaccination expenses, not covered by health insurance, for both children and adults with Advanced Bionics cochlear implants.

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