What the heck is Microtia?

this information comes via the The National Craniofacial Association in Chattanooga, TN

What is Microtia?
Microtia is an incompletely formed ear. It ranges in severity from a bump of tissue to a partially formed ear. In most cases, only one ear is affected. In that case, it is called Unilateral Microtia. If both ears are affected, it is called Bilateral Microtia. Unilateral Microtia occurs in 1 out of 8,000 births and Bilateral Microtia occurs in 1 out of 25,000 births. (Lucky us!)

Why did this happen?
At this time, no one knows why Microtia occurs; however, there is nothing to suggest that the mother's actions during pregnancy caused the Microtia. There have been correlations to its appearance along with either Goldenhar Syndrome or Trecher-Collins Syndrome.

Here is a diagram of a normal ear.

Microtia patients' outter ear (Pinna), external auditory canal, eardrum, and much of the middle ear are most times severly underdeveloped.

In most cases, the Inner ear & Cochlea are not effected.

So, How Does This Effect Hearing?

~ microtia patients are not technically "deaf" , their inner ear (in most cases) is not effected.

~ those with Microtia will experience Conductive Hearing Loss, meaning that the passage soundwaves travel is obstructed.

~ About a 40% reduction of hearing in the affected ear
~ Problems locating the direction from which a sound comes

~ Speech Development is expected to be delayed

So What Can Be Done?

~ reconstructive surgeries are available for both the outter & middle ear depending on the severaty of the microtia

~ an external bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is suggested at earliest of age

~ regular speech therapy