Hearing Services

Sometimes small ventilation tubes are inserted in the eardrum to permit drainage and improve air circulation. Caregivers should discuss this with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. This is a procedure that can be done during the cleft palate surgery or afterwards. Above all, it is important that children with clefts receive proper treatment for ear infections and periodic hearing evaluations by an audiologist. If ear infections go untreated, children can experience long-term hearing loss.