Prevalence of Hearing Loss Among Children with Cleft Palate: A Case Study

Abstract

Background: Cleft of the lip, palate, or both remain one of the most common congenital abnormalities. On average, about one in every 500 –750 live births results in a cleft. This disorder can result in feeding problems, speech problems, hearing problems, teeth problems, and frequent ear infections. Studies conducted in Ghana focused on the prevalence rate of cleft lip and palate. Hearing loss as a result of episodes of otitis media among children with cleft palate is well documented around the world. Currently, no such data exist in the country; hence this study was aimed at establishing the prevalence rate of hearing loss among children with cleft palate at a teaching hospital in Ghana. Aim: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of hearing loss among children with CP in Ghana. Method: This cross-sectional research employed audiologic and tympanometric assessment to examine the hearing status of 45 children with CP between the ages of 0 and 5 years. Participants undertook otoscopy, tympanometry, TEOAE test, and ASSR test. An estimated hearing threshold greater than 15 dB HL was considered a hearing loss. Results: The majority (54.44%) of tympanograms indicating middle ear pressure against middle ear compliance were abnormal, which is consistent with otitis media with effusion. Greatest (67.78%) absence of TEOAEs was found for ears with abnormal tympanogram findings. ASSR testing revealed elevated estimated hearing thresholds in most (54.44%) of the ears tested. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of hearing loss among children with CP was 67.78%. The degrees of hearing loss recorded were between slight and mild. The type of hearing loss presented was conductive. The increased rate of abnormal middle ear status experienced among children with CP may lead to hearing loss at the speech frequencies.