How To Deal With Microtia In Kids
Microtia is a term that refers to abnormally shaped ears
, usually due to congenital defects while the fetus is developing within the womb. The condition can involve both ears, but more commonly, it involves only one ear and affects only one side of the patient's hearing. The ear may be abnormally small or it may be completely missing. The gradient of severity of the defect often depends on the extent of effects while the fetus developed in the uterus. While there is no specific cause linked to microtia, the developmental abnormality can occur on its own or with a number of other symptoms within a particular developmental syndrome.The most obvious effect of microtia is difficulty hearing or complete lack of ability to hear on the affected side. In turn, this can cause developmental delays with speech and other milestones associated with hearing and learning. The severity of these delays obviously depend on whether one or both ears are affected and the extent to which the ears are malformed. On very rare occasion, neither ear will be formed and will render the patient completely deaf.
As technology and techniques continue to advance, there are a number of aesthetic and functional solutions to the developmental abnormality of microtia. Plastic surgeons are now able to handcraft and manufacture replacement ears in order to help the patient look normal. Surgeons are also able to perform intricate surgeries that allow them to virtually recreate the ear canal and promote the patient's ability to hear in one or both ears. Prognosis is best if only one ear is affected and if the ear is only partially malformed. Completely missing ears have the poorest prognosis and ears that are missing on both sides are rare and do not have optimistic outcomes for normal hearing during the patient's life.
If you are concerned about microtia and how it may affect you or a loved one, it would be in your best interest to contact a plastic surgeon in your area. He or she will be able to answer any questions you may have about the reconstruction process and outline a plan for improving the appearance and functionality of missing or deformed ears. Plastic surgeons are very good at giving realistic expectations and guidelines for treatment. They will outline a pre- and post-operative plan that will help the patient get the most out of their hearing and hopefully help them keep up with or maintain developmental milestone progress. Contact a plastic surgeon in your area today for more information and to schedule an initial consultation.
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