The Haemophilus influenzae meningitis is the most common cause of deafness following meningitis. Five of 22 children (23 %) had this complication in spite of antibiotic treatment (ampicillin). The question must be raised whether a different antibiotic treatment could avoid the inner-ear problems occurring in Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. Early decompression of the internal auditory canal has reversed deafness in one of four children.