Hipoacusia conductiva en pacientes con fisura palatina del Centro Fonoatelier, Cuenca 2022 - 2024

Abstract

People with cleft palate often have middle ear dysfunction, which causes conductive hearing loss in 90% of cases, affecting their cognitive and social development. This is associated with otitis No 05944 media with effusion. Although audiometry can show normal results, tests like tympanometry and acoustic reflex are essential to identify alterations that may affect communication and quality of life. In Ecuador, the occurrence of unilateral clefts on the left side is the most common, especially in men, which is linked to factors like maternal age, exposure to chemicals, alcohol, cigarettes, and infections in pregnancy. Objective: To determine the prevalence of conductive hearing loss in patients with cleft palate at FonoAtelier center in Cuenca (2022-2024). Methods: Quantitative, observational-descriptive and retrospective study, based on data from the FonoAtelier center. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS 29.0, which produced frequencies and percentages shown in tables. Results: Out of 134 patients, 57.5% were males; the most common group was that of 6 to 8 years and 11 months (32.8%). Complete bilateral cleft palate (27.6%) reported a higher incidence of conductive hearing loss; mild hearing loss was the most common (33.6% in the right ear and 37.3% in the left ear). Tympanometry showed that type As curve was the most frequent (35.8% in the right ear and 44.8% in the left ear). Conclusions: Mild conductive hearing loss is the most common in patients with cleft palate at FonoAtelier. Medical tests like tympanometry are fundamental, since alterations that affect language development can be detected even in people with normal hearing.