Do Children with Cleft Need Hearing Aids?
Hearing is a common concern for children born with cleft palate. Here is what to expect.
Many children with cleft palate need some form of hearing support during childhood.
- When hearing aids are needed:
- Ear tubes have been placed but hearing is still reduced
- Conductive hearing loss persists despite tube placement
- Sensorineural hearing loss is present
- Microtia is present (no ear canal)
- Types of hearing devices:
- Conventional hearing aids: For sensorineural or mixed hearing loss
- BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid): For microtia or chronic ear infections
- Softband BAHA: Non-surgical BAHA for infants and young children
- Ear tubes: Not hearing aids, but often resolve the hearing problem without aids
- Hearing monitoring schedule:
- Newborn hearing screening
- Hearing test every 6 months until age 3
- Annual hearing tests through adolescence
Signs of Hearing Loss
- Watch for:
- Not responding to sounds
- Delayed speech
- Turning the TV volume up
- Difficulty in noisy environments
- Frequently asking for repetition
Clinical Guidance
While many children with cleft palate have temporary hearing loss from fluid, most improve with ear tubes. Those with persistent loss may need hearing aids or BAHA. Regular hearing tests are essential throughout childhood.