Updated June 08, 2015.
Microtia is a congenital disorder that occurs 1 in 10,000 births. Microtia causes a deformity of one or both ears in which the outer ear is underdeveloped or absent. It is commonly associated with some disorders such as Goldenhar Syndrome and Treacher-Collins Syndrome. In addition to the outer ear deformity the ear drum, ear canal, and bones of the ear are sometimes affected, causing a degree of hearing loss.
It is not difficult to diagnose microtia given the obvious cosmetic deformities. However, further testing is required to diagnose hearing loss.
If the patient has hearing loss, it can usually be treated with hearing aids, cochlear implants or other common hearing loss treatments. An audiologist will likely be involved in the treatment of hearing loss.
Cosmetic deformities can be surgically repaired. You may opt to leave the ear as it is until the child is older. In fact, surgical repair of the ear can be more effective if the child is older.
If you decide to get his ear reconstructed, one option involves taking a cartilaginous graft from the rib cage and using it to make a new ear. This option is usually available to children 10 years and older.
Another option is to use a prosthetic ear. This still requires surgery since the prosthetic ear, which is constructed from silicone, is fixed to the head using fixtures and implants. For example, in a well-publicized case an otolaryngologist used screws which were implanted into the patients head.
The prosthesis contained magnets which attached to the screws.
Despite the fact that the above ages are recommended for reconstructive surgery, there can be multiple social issues for children suffering from microtia. For this reason, parents may elect to get a prosthetic ear around the age the child begins kindergarten. Doing so any earlier can result in multiple surgical procedures as the ears are not fully grown until this age. In unilateral microtia (one healthy ear and one deformed ear), this would result in the healthy ear eventually becoming larger than the prosthetic.
If you have a child who is suffering from microtia, try to build his self-esteem. Frequent praise and unconditional love are essential. Emphasize your child’s strengths often. Some parents may opt to homeschool their children until the ear can be reconstructed. If your child has problems at school, consider arranging a brief presentation in the classroom explaining the disorder and why your child is different. Emphasize the fact that while your child may look different, he enjoys playing games and other activities with other children his age. It may be beneficial to mention some of your child’s talents and abilities to help other children understand that despite the deformity, he is very much like them.
It may also be helpful to choose a hairstyle which covers the ear, making it less noticeable until it can be reconstructed.
Sources:
Ear & Hearing Center Cincinatti, Ohio. Microtia & Atresia. Accessed March 19, 2009 from http://www.chdr.org/MicrotiaAtresia.html
UCL Institute of Child Health. Microtia. Accessed: March 19, 2009 from http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/microtia/microtia_families.html
What is Microtia?
Microtia is a congenital disorder that occurs 1 in 10,000 births. Microtia causes a deformity of one or both ears in which the outer ear is underdeveloped or absent. It is commonly associated with some disorders such as Goldenhar Syndrome and Treacher-Collins Syndrome. In addition to the outer ear deformity the ear drum, ear canal, and bones of the ear are sometimes affected, causing a degree of hearing loss.
It is not difficult to diagnose microtia given the obvious cosmetic deformities. However, further testing is required to diagnose hearing loss.
How is Microtia Treated?
If the patient has hearing loss, it can usually be treated with hearing aids, cochlear implants or other common hearing loss treatments. An audiologist will likely be involved in the treatment of hearing loss.
Cosmetic deformities can be surgically repaired. You may opt to leave the ear as it is until the child is older. In fact, surgical repair of the ear can be more effective if the child is older.
If you decide to get his ear reconstructed, one option involves taking a cartilaginous graft from the rib cage and using it to make a new ear. This option is usually available to children 10 years and older.
Another option is to use a prosthetic ear. This still requires surgery since the prosthetic ear, which is constructed from silicone, is fixed to the head using fixtures and implants. For example, in a well-publicized case an otolaryngologist used screws which were implanted into the patients head.
The prosthesis contained magnets which attached to the screws.
Coping With Microtia
Despite the fact that the above ages are recommended for reconstructive surgery, there can be multiple social issues for children suffering from microtia. For this reason, parents may elect to get a prosthetic ear around the age the child begins kindergarten. Doing so any earlier can result in multiple surgical procedures as the ears are not fully grown until this age. In unilateral microtia (one healthy ear and one deformed ear), this would result in the healthy ear eventually becoming larger than the prosthetic.
If you have a child who is suffering from microtia, try to build his self-esteem. Frequent praise and unconditional love are essential. Emphasize your child’s strengths often. Some parents may opt to homeschool their children until the ear can be reconstructed. If your child has problems at school, consider arranging a brief presentation in the classroom explaining the disorder and why your child is different. Emphasize the fact that while your child may look different, he enjoys playing games and other activities with other children his age. It may be beneficial to mention some of your child’s talents and abilities to help other children understand that despite the deformity, he is very much like them.
It may also be helpful to choose a hairstyle which covers the ear, making it less noticeable until it can be reconstructed.
Sources:
Ear & Hearing Center Cincinatti, Ohio. Microtia & Atresia. Accessed March 19, 2009 from http://www.chdr.org/MicrotiaAtresia.html
UCL Institute of Child Health. Microtia. Accessed: March 19, 2009 from http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/microtia/microtia_families.html
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