Hearing loss in pediatric meningitis
Cooper, R.F.; Bagwell, C.; Smith, T.B.
American Family Physician 35(4): 133-138
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-838X PMID: 3565215 Document Number: 286795
Bacterial meningitis is the leading cause of acquired sensorineural hearing loss in children. Acquired hearing loss can have a devastating effect on a child's speech, language and eventual intellectual development, especially when the hearing loss occurs before the child learns to talk. If an immediate referral for audiologic testing is not made, valuable time is lost in obtaining hearing aids and habilitative/rehabilitative services for children during the critical period of language development.