The incidence of otorrhea after tympanostomy tube placement before CP repair is higher than the incidence after CP repair, although more than half of all infants (19 [58%]) had either 1 or no episodes of otorrhea before CP repair.

Newborns with cleft palate are at higher risk of failing their newborn hearing screen compared with healthy neonates. Detection of sensorineural or conductive hearing loss unrelated to middle ear effusions is more difficult in this at-risk population with cleft palate because of the high prevalence of serous otitis media.