ABR thresholds in infants born with CLP and OME and infants with OME
H Sundman1, T Flynn2, B Tengroth1
1Hearing and Balance Clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate and compare auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds related to otitis media with effusion (OME) in infants with and without cleft palate and/or lip (CP±L).
Methods:
Forty-seven infants with CP±L and 67 infants with OME participated in the study. Hearing thresholds of ears of infants with OME were compared between groups and within the group with CP±L.
Results:
Infants with CP±L and OME presented with similar hearing thresholds as infants with OME and not CP±L. Within the cleft group, infants with isolated cleft palate and OME demonstrated significantly higher hearing thresholds than infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate and OME.
Conclusion:
A high prevalence of infants with CP±L present with OME early in life. Hearing thresholds of these infants are similar to infants without CP±L, but with OME. The ear status and hearing thresholds of infants with CP±L needs to be monitored to be able to provide the best access to hearing in order to fully allow speech and language development.
