Medial Olivocochlear Modulation in Children With Cleft Lip and Palate: Evidence From Contralateral Suppression of TEOAEs

To investigate the potential impact of a history of cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) on medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent system modulation in children.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingUniversity-affiliated audiology research laboratory under controlled acoustic conditions.ParticipantsFifty-two children aged 9 to 15 years with typical hearing participated, including 26 children with surgically repaired,...

Children with a history of cleft lip and/or palate show measurable differences in medial olivocochlear efferent function; audiologists managing this population should consider including TEOAE contralateral suppression testing as part of comprehensive audiological assessment.

Understanding efferent auditory system differences in cleft lip and palate populations may explain listening difficulties beyond standard audiogram results and help tailor audiological management in this at-risk group.

1. 01Study investigated the medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent system in children with cleft lip and/or palate history.
2. 02Contralateral suppression of TEOAEs (transient evoked otoacoustic emissions) was used as the measurement tool.
3. 03The MOC system plays a role in speech-in-noise processing and inner ear protection.
4. 04Cleft lip/palate children may have altered efferent auditory function beyond conductive hearing issues.
5. 05Published in The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (doi: 10.1177/10556656261446655).

PMID

42080961

DOI

10.1177/10556656261446655.

Journal

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

3

Population

Children with a history of cleft lip and/or palate

Intervention

Contralateral suppression of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs)

Comparator

Typically developing children without cleft lip/palate