Meningitis

Deafness is the most common after-effect of bacterial meningitis. Around one in 10 children who have bacterial meningitis develop deafness as a result. 

Viral meningitis does not usually cause deafness. 

How meningitis causes deafness

Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges (membranes) that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Meningitis can affect anyone, of any age, at any time. However, babies, toddlers and children under 5 are the group most at risk from meningitis. Young people aged 15 to 19 are the next most vulnerable.

Bacterial meningitis causes sensorineural deafness. Sensorineural deafness happens when there is a fault in the inner ear or the auditory nerve that carries sound signals to the brain. Sensorineural deafness is permanent.

Meningitis can cause sensorineural deafness in several ways. The most common cause is the infection spreading into the cochlea, damaging the hair cells. Another possible cause is inflammation of the auditory nerve. Deafness can range from mild to profound and can affect one or both ears.

Find out more about types and levels of deafness.

In the early days, your child’s deafness may change over time. Their level of hearing will normally stabilise during the first few months following illness.

Bacterial meningitis can also cause other problems with the ear, including balance problems and tinnitus.

Download factsheets about hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems caused by meningitis from Meningitis Now.

In the beginning I did a lot of singing to her. The doctor said she’d be more likely to pick up on sing-song noises. I used to get in trouble with my neighbours because we’d make so much noise!

Mary is mum to Genevieve (8) who became profoundly deaf after contracting meningitis as a baby.

Read Genevieve's story.

Hearing tests

All children with confirmed or suspected bacterial meningitis should be offered a hearing test within 4 weeks of being well enough to do the tests. Ideally, hearing tests should be done before they’re discharged from hospital.

Deafness usually happens early in the course of the illness. You may have already noticed that your child has lost their hearing before they have any hearing tests, especially if the deafness is severe or profound. If deafness is mild or moderate, it may not be as obvious. It’s therefore important that all children are tested early.

Children who have had confirmed viral meningitis are not routinely referred for hearing tests. However, if your child has had viral meningitis and you’ve noticed a change in their hearing, ask your paediatrician or GP for a referral to audiology.

We’ve really been through it. She had seizures up until recently and she’s partially sighted. When I first found out she was going to be profoundly deaf too, it was like being swallowed by a black hole.

Mary, mum to Genevieve.

Emotional support

A serious illness can have a deep emotional effect on any child or parent. For an older child or teenager, this may mean that they need extra help finding new ways of communicating with you, or time and space to accept their deafness.

It’s important that both you and your child have the opportunity to talk about how you're both feeling. Your child’s school or college should also be able to tell you about the extra support they can provide when your child returns to education.

At one point, I remember I had to have a few weeks’ break. I gave my mum the children. Admitting you need help is the hardest part. In my head I had planned out the kind of parent I wanted to be. When that didn’t happen, it was hard.

Mary received funding for counselling from Meningitis Now.

She’s learning to write her name, and she’s working at school on learning to socialise. She even has a best friend now! We make jokes in my family all the time about the things Genevieve will go on to do. I just know she’s going to change the world.

Mary, mum to Genevieve.