Hearing impairment in meningococcal meningitis.

Hearing affection as a sequel of meningococcal meningitis and its relation to age, sex, severity and duration of disease was studied in Cairo, Egypt during the period December 1966--December 1973. The total incidence of impaired hearing in the 775 cases was 5.8%. This incidence was higher in the younger age groups, females, severe cases of meningitis and in patients who received specific therapy shortly after the onset of signs and symptoms of the disease. The aetiology of hearing impairment in meningitis was reviewed.