Study of the Peripheral Auditory System in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate and/or Cleft Palate Who Underwent One or Two Surgical Procedures

• Grant number: 25/02319-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Maria Francisca Colella dos Santos
• Grantee: Gabrielli Gardezani da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The human auditory system begins to function in the prenatal period, establishing the foundation for oral language development. However, after birth, both central and peripheral auditory structures are immature and go through a critical period of development. During this time, sensory deprivation may result in alterations in auditory processing, language, and others. Otitis media, a disease with a peak incidence within the first 12 months of life, can cause such deprivation by leading to conductive hearing loss. Furthermore, the child's eustachian tube facilitates the entry of infectious agents because of its shorter length and reduced angulation leading to infections. Cleft lip and palate, as well as isolated cleft palate, congenital craniofacial anomalies, also contribute to middle ear impairment due to eustachian tube dysfunction and recurring cases of otitis media. This condition requires corrective surgeries, such as primary and secondary palatoplasty. This study aims to investigate the peripheral auditory system of children with these anomalies, highlighting the importance of the auditory integrity in the firsts years of life and analyzing the influence of one or two corrective surgeries in the auditory development. This is a cross-section and descriptive study with quantitative approach, involving 60 children aged between 6 to 10 years, will be conducted in the Audiology Laboratories of the Department of Human Development and Rehabilitation of FCM in partnership with SOBRAPAR Hospital. The procedures include: Pure-Tone Audiometry, Speech Recognition Index, Wideband Tympanometry, Ipsilateral and Contralateral Acoustic Reflex Testing, Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions, and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions. The obtained data will be recorded in a spreadsheet specifically developed for this research, analysed by a statistical professional, and presented in tables and graphics. (AU)