Airway problems in children of deaf parents: two case reports

Airway problems in children usually present with audible symptoms, making them potentially unrecognizable when both parents are deaf. Other hearing observers may not be available to appreciate audible symptoms and polysomnography is inappropriate as a screening tool. We present two cases that highlight the need for additional vigilance and a greater index of suspicion for the presence of significant upper airway obstruction in dealing with the children of hearing-impaired parents.