Purpose
To identify the social impact on individuals with communication disorders associated with cleft lip and palate with and without hearing loss.
Methods
Participation by children and adolescents from 7 years to 15 years and 11 months old, of both genders, with cleft lip and palate or isolated cleft palate, with and without associated hearing loss. The survey consisted of 52 participants, divided into two groups: one consisting of 36 children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate without hearing loss and the other, 16 subjects with cleft lip and palate with associated hearing loss.
Results
It was found that the socio-economic, family, educational and social effects are common to both groups.
Conclusion
Children and adolescents with hearing loss associated with cleft lip and palate are not “disadvantaged” when referring to economic, family, school and social repercussions in relation to those who do not have hearing disorders. Both groups experience the worsening of living with the aesthetic and functional impairment caused by the anomaly and living in a society entirely concerned with the image and judging differences.