Cochlear implant for bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss in an adolescent with sickle cell anemia.

Almuhawas FAHagr AA1.

Author information

1Dr. Abdulrahman Abdullah Hagr, Department of ORL,, King Abdulaziz University Hospital,, PO Box 245, Riyadh 11411,, Saudi Arabia, T: +966-505216261, F: +966-11-4775735, dhagr90@yahoo.com.

Abstract

We present the first-published cochlear implant in an adolescent with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). A 15-year-old Saudi girl, previously diagnosed with SCA, developed gradual bilateral permanent profound SNHL over 18 months and underwent a successful cochlear implantation. SNHL associated with sickle cell crises is a well-known phenomenon. Regular hearing assessments are recommended for sickle cell patients, and early referrals for cochlear implantations are advocated for those with permanent profound SNHL.