Hearing Impairment and its Predictors in Childhood Bacterial Meningitis in Angola

Abstract

Hearing was evaluated in 244 ears of 124 children in Angola by auditory brainstem response audiometry 3 months after bacterial meningitis. Of all ears, 81% recovered without impairment. Of all children, 74% recovered without impairment, 5% had unilateral and 11% bilateral impairment. Seizures before or during hospital stay and disease severity were the best predictors of ≥ 80 dB impairment.