Dual-task speech-in-noise performance in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate and minimal conductive hearing loss

Children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) frequently experience middle-ear dysfunction and conductive hearing loss, which may affect functional listening in noise. This study examined speech-in-noise recognition and visual-task latency cost during concurrent auditory-visual task performance in children with unilateral CLP and minimal conductive hearing loss.

Audiologists assessing children with unilateral cleft lip and palate and minimal conductive hearing loss should consider dual-task speech-in-noise testing, as standard audiometry may underestimate their real-world listening difficulties.

Children with cleft-related minimal hearing loss are often considered low-risk audiologically, but dual-task testing may reveal functional listening burdens that warrant intervention or closer monitoring.

1. 01Study examines children with unilateral cleft lip and palate who have minimal conductive hearing loss from middle-ear dysfunction.
2. 02Dual-task paradigm tests speech-in-noise understanding while simultaneously performing a secondary cognitive task.
3. 03Published in European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology (PMID 42402501).
4. 04Minimal hearing loss in this population may impose greater cognitive listening effort than standard tests reveal.
5. 05Findings could support expanded audiological assessment protocols for cleft-affected children.

PMID

42402501

DOI

10.1007/s00405-026-10395-6.

Journal

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Children with unilateral cleft lip and palate and minimal conductive hearing loss due to middle-ear dysfunction

Intervention

Dual-task speech-in-noise assessment