Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Children With Repaired Cleft Palate

Abstract

Objective

To determine the prevalence, type, and degree of hearing loss in children and adolescents with repaired cleft palate, and to analyze hearing outcomes across different age groups, cleft types, and surgical techniques.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Tertiary referral center for craniofacial anomalies, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo (HRAC/USP).

Patients

A total of 183 patients aged 3 to 18 years with surgically repaired cleft palate were included. All patients underwent primary palatoplasty at least 12 months prior to audiological evaluation.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Prevalence, type, and degree of hearing loss; tympanometric findings; associations with age, cleft type, and surgical technique.

Results

Hearing loss was identified in 21.8% of patients, predominantly conductive (80%), with mild degree in most cases. Hearing loss prevalence tended to increase with age but did not reach statistical significance. A significant association was found between surgical technique and hearing loss prevalence (P = .008), with lower rates observed in patients who underwent Furlow palatoplasty. No significant associations were observed with cleft type, sex, or ethnicity. Abnormal tympanometric findings (types B and C) were strongly associated with hearing loss (P < .001).

Conclusions

Hearing loss remains common among children and adolescents with repaired cleft palate, primarily characterized by mild conductive loss. Long-term audiological monitoring remains essential in the care of this population.