Hearing Services
Children with cleft palates are susceptible to middle ear inflammation, which, if untreated, can lead to long-term hearing loss. Early screenings and simple treatments such as ear tubes can prevent this.
Hearing Services
Sometimes, either during cleft palate surgery or afterwards, small ventilation tubes are inserted in the eardrum to permit drainage and improve air circulation. Caregivers should discuss this procedure with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Above all, it is important for children with clefts to receive proper treatment for ear infections and periodic hearing evaluations by an audiologist. If ear infections go untreated, children can experience long-term hearing loss.