title: Hearing, middle ear pressure and otopathology in a cleft palate population.
abstract: A population of 261 cleft-palate patients from western and northern Norway was evaluated by means of otoscopy, tympanometry and audiometry. Normal otoscopy was associated with middle ear pressure less negative than -150 mmH2O and with hearing better than 20 dB PTA. Flat tympanograms were found in 85% of cases with secretory otitis media. Secretory otitis media was dominant below the age of 3 years. Between 3 and 5 years of age changes in otoscopic and tympanometric findings were frequently observed. From 6 years of age a stable normalization took place. The close association between age and frequency of abnormal findings, makes age an important factor in the treatment of patients. A restricted use of ventilating tubes is advocated due to the possible occurrence of problems with otorrhea in infants and the possibility of provoking tympanosclerotic changes.
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications; D011312:Pressure