Comments on: Girl Dies of Bacterial Meningitis, maybe related to Cochlear Implant?

By: Stewart from minnesota

Stewart from minnesota — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:30:39 +0000

Hi all my name is Stewart I lost my hearing because of bacterial meningitis in nov of 07 (nissariea rare form) and was fast tracted for CI’s in both ears. The first @ the U of M 2 do both ears in the same surgery and my surgen does at least 1 CI a week.. cause of the damage and worry of ocofication …. and could not get the vacc. Cause it did 2 much damage 1st time around and my body would not of been able 2 handle it ….. but we went on as planed and my chances are over 80 % of gettin it again ….. I would not make it thru a 2nd bout of meningitis so just am super careful when I’m out of the house we had an outbreak of over 35 cases in mlps. and I think 4 or 5 deaths in a span of acouple mnths….. it is a very scary thing 2 go thru and still deal with it all but it was worth the risk 4 me and my family and hearing is back 2 at least 75% compared to 0% for 7 mnths …. It is very sad 2 hear that she died but to me it was worth the risk commin from and living in the hearing world… it was the only choice I WAS given thru all of it and I went for it…. head fist like I always do….. it has been a long road and still will be but the good out wayed the risk…..

By: jsg

jsg — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:22:03 +0000

I have a CI. I can swim, I can wear in deep freezing temperature, and I use an umbrella in the rain (we get a lot of lightening here in Rochester but that doesn’t faze the CI population).

Just because you don’t believe in CI doesn’t give you the right to tell others not to wear a CI.

To have a CI or not to have a CI is each individual private decision.

I have a CI and it works for me and I have no regrets. I had all my shots and I chose Cochlear brand because the other brands are known to cause bacteria menigitis.

By: B. Taylor

B. Taylor — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:53:51 +0000

I do not believe anyone wear cochlear implant. I lost hearing due to spinal meningitis and penumonia at 2 years old. My both ear already burst in ear drum.
Cochlear Implant still not safe to human…why? Lightning would strike metal magnet, swimming still shock from electronic, no football, no basketball, cant hold metal magnet device in head, danger bacteria meningitis. I rather to have normal Deaf life. God give us gift of Deaf Life.
Thanks
BT

By: deafmom

deafmom — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 07:02:20 +0000

I was told that the girl had a CI with a positioner which was a greater risk factor of meningitis and she needed vaccinations to reduce the meningitis risk. This type of CI was discontinued a few years ago but the girl already had it. CDC recommended all children with CI to receive vaccines immediately when the CI with a positioner caused meningitis in several children.

Check the FDA webpage:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/020606-cochlear.html

By: mishkazena

mishkazena — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:22:50 +0000

No, the mother doesn’t have a case because it was due to her neglience that she didn’t get her daughter vaccinated. She was already aware of the role of CI and meningitis.