The increased warning of meningitis concerning cochlear implants (the FDA first noted the connection in 2002) may mean that there is an increase of problems concerning the hearing devices. Cochlear implants are special devices that can allow deaf people to hear, through electric signals to the brain. The implants are especially stressed to importance in deaf children, who can then learn to master basic language skills at a young age. The meningitis risk that concerns the FDA has to do with a positioner the implant uses. The positioner increases the risk of a specific kind of meningitis, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cochlear implants with a positioner were only manufactured by Advanced Bionics Corp.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a defective product such as a cochlear implant, contact the Meningitis Lawyers Network.
