Objective: To determine the audiological status in patients with cleft lip and palate. Study design: A descriptive retrospective study.
Material and Method: Data were retrieved from hospital records of 234 patients with cleft lip and palate and cleft palate who underwent hearing assessment between June 2007 and September 2010 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University. Descriptive data of the audiological evaluation were presented.
Results: Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss at the first hearing assessment was encountered among 186 patients (79.49%). Among these, 165 (88.71%) had bilateral conductive hearing loss and 16 (8.6%) had unilateral conductive hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss was greatest to a moderate degree in 181 (50.84%) ears. Most tympanometric evaluations presented with type B (335 ears or 72.67%). The age of the patient was significantly correlated with audiological status.
Conclusion: The current study showed that there is a high prevalence of hearing impairment among patients with cleft lip and palate and cleft palate. Therefore, routine audiological assessment should be performed as early as possible, especially among children. Further prospective investigation of the prevalence of hearing loss in children with cleft lip and palate and cleft palate should be considered, and endorsed as a national healthcare policy priority in order to raise awareness and to prevent hearing loss among these children.

Keywords: Cleft lip and palate, Hearing loss