Paediatric cochlear implantation in north-western Nigeria case report and review of our challenges

Abstract

Objective: To report the commencement of cochlear implantation (CI) in children in Northern Nigeria and review the challenges encountered with a view to establishing CI programme.

Cases: Two children with post-meningitic sensorineural hearing loss had standard pre-implantation assessment and cochlear implantation surgery in Nigeria in conjunction with surgeons from another developing country. Post-implantation meningitis was encountered and managed in one of the patients. Post-CI rehabilitation started in a foreign country and continued in our centre after training of our speech therapist. Both patients had improvement in their hearing.

Conclusion: These showcase successful CI in patients from Sub-Saharan Africa, the challenges included need for development of surgical and post-CI rehabilitation personnel and affordability of the cost of the implant. The support of all the stakeholders needed for commencement of a CI programme was noted.

Keywords: Challenges; Children; Cochlear implantation; Developing country; Meningitis.