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Auditory function in children with orofacial myofunctional disorders
York, Jessa M.
York, Jessa M.
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2026-02-26
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Introduction: Children with craniofacial anomalies (i.e., birth defects affecting the skull and facial bones, like cleft palate) are susceptible to chronic middle ear pathology or infections. It is unknown if abnormal patterns of mouth and facial muscle formation that impact swallowing, speech, airway, and sleep, known as orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) also make children prone to infections.
Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate middle ear status of children identified with OMDs who may be susceptible to middle ear pathology due to facial structural differences.
Methods: This quantitative, descriptive study evaluated middle ear function and hearing abilities of nine children diagnosed with OMD by an SLP with myofunctional training. Middle ear assessment used otoscopy, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Data analysis used SPSS software.
Findings: Research is ongoing, but data from 80 sessions indicates three children (33%) had results showing middle ear pathology, and 10 sessions required further evaluations. Six sessions of pure-tone testing thresholds indicated minimal to mild amounts of hearing loss (enough to impact speech development in children).
Nine ears (5.6%) showed middle ear fluid (Type B tympanograms), and thirty-six (22.5%) ears indicated eustachian tube dysfunction (Type C tympanograms). Six (3.8%) ears indicated stiffened middle ear function (Type As tympanograms). These percentages show that middle ear pathology is a problem for children with OMD.
Relevance to Kansas: Up to 38% of children have OMDs (Wadsworth et al, 1998) meaning Kansas speech-language pathologists, audiologists, dentists, and pediatricians must be aware of this condition so identification and treatment can start early.
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Poster project completed at the Wichita State University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Presented at the Kansas Undergraduate Student Research Day at the Capitol, Topeka, KS, February 26, 2026.
Sponsored by Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub, Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College.
Sponsored by Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub, Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College.
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Wichita State University