title: Dutch Cochlear Implant Group (CI-ON) consensus protocol on postmeningitis hearing evaluation and treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of the most devastating sequelae of bacterial meningitis is profound hearing loss or even deafness. Although cochlear implantation is able to restore (some) hearing abilities, obliteration due to fibrosis and especially calcification of the cochlea in the postmeningitis period is limiting the success rate of an implantation. A national consensus assembled in a postmeningitis follow-up protocol has to increase awareness and thus the chances of an early detection and possible intervention when profound hearing loss occurs.
  
  
  METHODS
  All cochlear implant (CI) centers of The Netherlands located in the 8 academic otorhinolaryngology and audiology departments of The Netherlands, gathered in the Dutch Cochlear Implant Group (CI-ON, Cochlear Implant Overleg Nederland).
  
  
  METHODS
  A protocol proposed by 3 centers was sent to all other CI centers in The Netherlands to review and agree on.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CI centers agreed on the need for, and use of, the proposed protocol. Keystones of the protocol are treatment with dexamethasone before start of antibiotics, early magnetic resonance imaging and repeated audiological follow-up, and urgent referral to a CI center in all cases with greater than 30 dB SNHL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Cochlear Implant Centers in The Netherlands (CI-ON) have agreed on a protocolized follow-up after bacterial meningitis to increase the chances of an early detection and possible intervention should profound hearing loss occur.
authors.affiliation: Cochlear Implant team Amsterdam VUMC, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.merkus@vumc.nl; ci@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merkus
authors.forename: Rolien H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Free
authors.forename: Emmanuel A M
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mylanus
authors.forename: Robbert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stokroos
authors.forename: Mick
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Metselaar
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Spronsen
authors.forename: Wilko
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grolman
authors.forename: Johan H M
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Frijns
mesh_terms: D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications*