Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) has revolutionized auditory rehabilitation for patients with severe to profound hearing loss secondary to bacterial meningitis. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on CI outcomes in this patient population. Demographic characteristics, surgical techniques, and audiometric outcomes across studies published from 1993 to 2024 are highlighted. Methodology: In a systematic search of electronic databases, 19 eligible studies from Europe, North America, China, and Turkey were identified. These studies included retrospective cohort designs, prospective cohorts, and case series that assessed various aspects of CI outcomes. Data extraction was focused on patient demographics, preimplantation characteristics, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes. Results: The studies reported heterogeneous but positive audiological outcomes following CI. Significant improvements in speech perception and quality-of-life metrics were observed across different patient subgroups. This review identified variability in surgical approaches (eg, cochleostomy and circumodiolar drill-out), implant devices (eg, nucleus and advanced bionics), and speech processing strategies (eg, SPEAK and ACE). Audiological gains were influenced by factors such as age at implantation, duration of deafness, and presence of cochlear ossification. Conclusion: CI offers significant benefits for patients with postmeningitis hearing loss, although the outcomes vary based on patient-specific factors and surgical techniques. The findings from this review underscore the importance of personalized treatment approaches and highlight areas for future research, including standardized outcome measures and long-term follow-up, to optimize patient outcomes and refine clinical protocols.

Purpose: Single-sided deafness impairs sound localization, reducing quality of life and spatial awareness. Cochlear implantation has emerged as a promising intervention, yet the magnitude of benefit and influence of rehabilitation factors remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined localization outcomes after cochlear implantation in single-sided deafness. Methods: Multiple databases were searched from their earliest available records to February 2025 for studies reporting quantitative localization outcomes in cochlear implant recipients with single-sided deafness. The primary outcome was a reduction in root mean square (RMS) localization error. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, with subgroup analyses by age, etiology, and rehabilitation factors. Results: Forty studies (667 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Cochlear implantation significantly improved localization, with a pooled RMS error reduction of 20.8 degrees (95% CI: 17.9-23.7 degrees, P 55 y, P =0.032), as did those with sudden sensorineural hearing loss compared with Ménière’s disease (23.5 vs. 11.3 degrees, P =0.018). Structured rehabilitation was associated with larger improvements than standard care (26.1±8.2 degrees vs. 18.4±7.6 degrees, Cohen’s d =0.977; P <0.01). Earlier activation (≤21 d) and high daily use (≥10 h) were associated with the most favorable outcomes. Conclusions: Cochlear implantation provides clinically meaningful localization improvements in single-sided deafness, though performance remains below normal hearing levels. Outcomes are optimized by structured rehabilitation, earlier activation, and consistent device use. These findings support cochlear implantation as an effective intervention and inform evidence-based rehabilitation strategies.

Choristomas are rare benign developmental lesions composed of histologically normal tissue located in an abnormal (ectopic) anatomical site. Their occurrence in the middle ear is uncommon and may mimic more common pathologies such as chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma, often leading to diagnostic challenges. We report a 16-year-old female who presented with chronic left ear discharge and hearing loss for 8 years. Examination revealed bilateral grade I microtia with a narrow external auditory canal. Pure tone audiometry showed bilateral conductive hearing loss, and high-resolution computed tomography demonstrated a soft-tissue mass in the left middle ear and mastoid with ossicular erosion. A transmeatal exploratory tympanotomy was performed, revealing an encapsulated small brown soft-tissue mass limited to the tympanic cavity complete excision done. Histopathological examination confirmed a mixed heterotopic tissue choristoma composed of skin, adnexal structures, fibroadipose tissue, muscle, cartilage, and salivary gland elements. The postoperative course was uneventful, with hearing improvement and no recurrence at 6-month follow-up. This case highlights the importance of considering middle-ear choristoma in the differential diagnosis of chronic otorrhea and conductive hearing loss to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary aggressive treatment.