title: Characteristics of the hearing loss in unilateral cleft lip and palate-influence on communication.
abstract: Etiology of otitis media with effusion (OME) is still unclear and often described as multi-factorial. It is very usual finding in cleft palate population. We tested relationship between the hearing level, audiometric frequencies, aging and ear side in unilateral cleft lip and palate 101 children (UCLP) and subgroups of left (UCLP)(L) and right cleft side (UCLP)(R). Group of left ears is prone to higher frequency and more severe hearing disturbances than groups of right ears, with less chance of normalizing hearing level with aging. Characteristics of hearing loss level and its improvement, in UCLP children depend of cleft type, ear side and age group.
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Zagreb, Croatia. jadranka.handzic-cuk@usa.net
authors.forename: Jadranka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Handzić
authors.forename: Bozo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Radić
authors.forename: Branimir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nevajda
authors.forename: Fadi Abdel
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Hadi
authors.forename: Tomica
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bagatin
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vladika
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology