ONE hundred and sixty patients treated for deafness have been contacted over meningitis fears.

Doctors have written to every patient who has had a cochlear implant at North Riding Infirmary, in Middlesbrough, in the past 12 years.

The patients are being warned that there is a theoretical risk of catching a potentially fatal bacterial form of meningitis.

But health experts have stressed that the chance of falling ill is very small.

Patients are also being advised to check whether they have been vaccinated against meningitis.

The precautionary measure follows advice from the Medical Devices Agency about the implants.

Cochlear implants are minute devices designed to stimulate the acoustic nerve so people who have suffered inner ear disease can enjoy some form of hearing.

The advice is based on a report which suggests there has been a worldwide increase in the number of cochlear implant patients with the disease.

Approximately 25 cases have been diagnosed, though most of them were in European countries which have no vaccination policy.

Yesterday, consultant surgeon Maurice Hawthorne, who leads the North-East Cochlear Implant Programme, stressed there was no firm evidence of a link and urged patients not to panic.

"At present, there is no convincing scientific evidence that having a cochlear implant increases the risk of having meningitis and research is ongoing," he said.

"Patients need to be reassured this is a very small risk - if any - but we are recommending them to seriously consider having vaccines against pneumococcal and haemophilus meningitis if they have not already."

Letters have also been sent out to the patients' GPs, and any parents or patients with concerns can contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Any patients wanting individual advice can contact a trust helpline, on (01642) 854015, in office hours