Management of Otopathology and Hearing Loss in Children with Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies

Children with cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies are at risk for a variety of otopathologies including otitis media and structural deformities of the outer and middle ear. These conditions are usually associated with conductive hearing impairment; however, when hearing loss occurs as part of a syndrome, there may be sensorineural or mixed hearing loss. This chapter will review the etiology of these conditions and their medical management. We will also examine the assessment of hearing and various technologies available for treatment of hearing loss.