process cochlear implant The United States Food and Drug Administration reports that cochlear implant recipients may be at higher risk for meningitis.[76] A study of 4,265 American children who received implants between 1997 and 2002 concluded that recipient children had a risk of pneumococcal meningitis more than 30 times greater than that for children in the general population.[77] A later, UK-based, study found that while the incidence of meningitis in implanted adults was significantly higher than the general population, the incidence in children was no different from the general population.[78] As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration both recommend that would-be implant recipients be vaccinated against meningitis prior to surgery.[79] YL a condition of person who has been surgically implanted an electronic device under the skin behind the ear to provide hearing. http://www.adultvaccination.org/professional-resources/pneumo/adult-pneumo-guide-hcp.pdf