Cochlear Implants after Meningitis and Otosclerosis: A Comparison between Cochlear Ossification and Speech Perception Tests

Abstract

(1) Background: Performance after Cochlear Implantation (CI) can vary depending on numerous factors. This study aims to investigate how meningitis or otosclerosis can influence CI performance. (2) Methods: Retrospective analysis of CI performance in patients with etiological diagnosis of meningitis or otosclerosis, comparing the etiologies and analyzing the image findings, along with electrode array insertion status and technique. (3) Results: Speech recognition in CI patients with otosclerosis improves faster than in patients with meningitis. Other features such as radiological findings, degree of cochlear ossification, surgical technique used and total or partial insertion of electrodes do not seem to be directly related to speech recognition test performance. (4) Conclusions: Patients should be warned that their postoperative results have a strong correlation with the disease that caused their hearing loss and that, in cases of meningitis, a longer duration of speech–language training may be necessary to reach satisfactory results.