Your premature baby
- Premature babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- We don't understand all the causes but are looking for answers.
- Learn about what to expect, now and in the year or so to come.
Does cleft lip or cleft palate cause ear problems?
Cleft lip does not cause ear problems.Babies with cleft palate, however, are more likely than other babies to have ear infections and, in some cases, hearing loss. This is because cleft palate can cause fluid to build up in your baby’s middle ear. The fluid can become infected and cause fever and earache. If fluid keeps building up with or without infection, it can cause mild to moderate hearing loss.
Without treatment , hearing loss can affect your baby’s language development and may become permanent.
With the right care, this kind of hearing loss is usually temporary. Your baby’s provider may recommend:
- Having your baby’s ears checked regularly for fluid buildup
- Medicines for treating fluid buildup and ear infections
- Ear tubes if your baby has fluid in his ears over and over again. Ear tubes are tiny tubes that are inserted into the eardrum to drain the fluid and help prevent infections.
