A systematic review of auditory processing abilities in children with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate

Purpose: The present systematic review aims to understand auditory processing abilities in children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P). The review summarizes questionnaire, behavioral, and electrophysiological findings of auditory processing abilities in children with NSCL/P. Method: The study used a literature search of electronic databases (e.g., Pub Med, Google Scholar, J Stage, Research Gate, ScienceDirect) and the AIISH repository from 2000 to 2021. The retrieved articles were assessed in two stages: title and abstract screening, followed by a full-length article review. About 13 articles were selected after the full-length review of 17 shortlisted articles. All selected studies used cohort design. Result: The review showed that speech perception in noise and temporal processing were the majorly affected processing abilities in children with NSCL/P. The review also showed that cleft palate children are more prone to auditory processing deficits than other cleft subgroups. These auditory processing deficits in NSCL/P children may cause delayed speech and language skills, reading, and learning disabilities, which are highly reported in these children. Conclusion: Auditory processing evaluation should be a part of the audiological test battery for these children to promote early diagnosis and management.