1. Causing Bacterial Meningitis
Cochlear Implants
Causing
Bacterial Meningitis

2. Cochlear Implant Is a surgically implanted device
Cochlea isn’t working properly and the hearing nerve isn't being stimulated, there's no way for the electrical signals to get to the brain.
Bypassing the damaged part of the cochlea, and uses its own electrical signals to stimulate the auditory nerve.
Allowing the person to hear.

3. * Cochlea is a snail-shaped, curled tube located in the area of the ear where nerves are contained. Its function is to gather electrical signals from sound vibrations and transmit them to your auditory nerve (or hearing nerve).
* The hearing nerve then sends these signals to the brain, where they're translated into recognizable sounds.
Picture provided by kidshealth.org

4. Who Gets Implants?
Children and adults who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing.
Most children who receive implants are between two and six years old.
In 2000, the FDA lowered the age of eligibility to 12 months for a cochlear implant.

5. Statistics
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as of April 2009
approximately 188,000 people worldwide have received implants.
41,500 adults and 25,500 children have received them.

6. Risks from the Surgical Implant Procedure
Injury to the facial nerve
Meningitis --this is an infection of the lining of the surface of the brain. People who have abnormally formed inner ear structures appear to be at greater risk of this rare, but serious complication.
Cerebrospinal fluid leakage
Perilymph fluid leak
Infection of the skin wound.
Blood or fluid collection at the site of surgery.
Attacks of dizziness or vertigo.
Tinnitus, which is a ringing or buzzing sound in the ear.
Taste disturbances --the nerve that gives taste sensation to the tongue also goes through the middle ear and might be injured during the surgery.
Numbness around the ear.
Reparative granuloma --this is the result of localized inflammation that can occur if the body rejects the implant.

7. Companies Cochlear Americas . www.cochlearamericas.com/
Advanced Bionics
Cochlear Limited
Cochlear America

8. Recalls and Safety October 10, 2007 September 25, 2003
Public Health Notifications repeatedly warn about the increased, life-threatening risk of bacterial meningitis in cochlear implant recipients and the importance of fully immunizing them.
September 25, 2003
Risk of Bacterial Meningitis in Children with Cochlear Implants (FDA issues recommendations to decrease the risk of meningitis in cochlear implant recipients)
September 24, 2004
Advanced Bionics Conducts Voluntary Recall of Cochlear Implants

9. Meningitis
Is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the Meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs.
Is life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity to the brain and spinal cord.
High mortality rate if untreated
Delay in treatment has been associated with a poorer outcome.

10. Symptoms of Meningitis
fever, headaches, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion
138.2 out of 100,000 children get pneumococcal meningitis in the cohort.
30 times higher than the rest of the population.
Implants with posistioners are more at risk.
High risk continues up to 24 months after implantation.

11. Meningitis Risks With treatment 10% die
20% have long-term disabilities, deafness, brain damage

12. Vaccines Menomune (MPSV4) Menactra (MCV4) - is the preferred one
Both vaccines can prevent 4 types of meningococcal disease, including 2 of the 3 types most common in the United States.
Cannot prevent all types of the disease.
Protect about 90 percent of those who get it.
Menactra is expected to give better, longer-lasting protection.
Hib vaccine

13. How Many Does? People 2 years of age and older should get 1 dose.
Menomune may be recommended for children 3 months to 2 years of age under special circumstances.
These children should get 2 doses, 3 months apart.

14. Work Cited http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/cochlear.html