In the recent years, audiologic management of patients with cleft lip/palate and associated glue ear has been a challenging clinical adventure, due to recurring nature of otitis media with effusion (OME) and psychosocial reactions.
This makes management engagement a traumatising exercise on the part of the clinicians, consequently there is a continued increase in the number of children with cleft lip/palate conditions, and attendant effects of glue ear on their Speech-language development, effective and appropriate hearing functions, intellectual and learning development, psycho-social functions and general wellbeing. Thus, the study endeavoured to review the audiologic management of young cleft lip/palate patients with glue ear, in line with the co-morbid nature of the orofacial problems and attendant effects on the overall development of children.
The paper, therefore presents emerging evidence-based audiologic management options, including the universal use of first-line treatment strategy through surgical implant of ventilation tubes, Valsalva maneuver, auto inflation, alternative therapies based on psycho-physiological nature/challenges of each patient, traditional/ conventional (non-invasive) treatment options, the use of olive oil and/or honey, antibiotics, scientifically prepared substances to treat OME, and treatment of upper respiratory and middle ear infections. The paper advocates an holistic or combined management options, an psycho-therapeutic considerations.