Hearing Loss, Speech-Language, and Cystic Fibrosis

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Abstract
Thirty-one children with cystic fibrosis received otologic, audiologic, and speech-language examinations. Results revealed 48% to have definite ear pathology, 39% displayed unilateral or bilateral hearing loss, and 22% deficient speech-language development. The criterion for "hearing loss" was discussed and the accumulated audiologic data was further subjected to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology 1945 definition of hearing loss. The 39% incidence figure decreased to 16%. Even though the less stringent definition of hearing loss did significantly reduce incidence, the 16% still exceeds that expected in a comparable non-cystic fibrosis population (5% to 7%). Because of the significantly high incidence of ear pathology, otologic examinations should be a part of the total health care of children with cystic fibrosis.

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