What Is Microtia

By Yvonne Brixey


What is Microtia?

A defect of the outer ear, Microtia may affect one ear or both ears. As with all disorders, Microtia has different degrees of severity. In more mild cases of Microtia the outer ear is deformed or underdeveloped, but in severe cases of Microtia the outer ear may be missing entirely. When the Microtia is more serious, the bones of the ear, and the ear drum and ear canal are also damaged.

How does Microtia affect children who have it?

Because Microtia is a defect which occurs when children are born using common birth, Microtia will normally affect children from the time they are born. Also called atresia ear, or atresia Microtia, Microtia causes varying degrees of hearing loss for the child who has it. When the case of Microtia is very mild, the child may not experience hearing loss at all. However, deformation of the outer ear can cause problems receiving sound, and if the Microtia is severe enough to cause damage to the ear drum or bones in the inner ear then hearing loss may be extreme.
The other problem that children experience when they have Microtia is the fact that they don't look the same as the other children. Social problems for children with Microtia are common if the Microtia is left untreated.

So How Do You Treat Microtia?

If your child has Microtia you should first visit an audiologist to determine what level of hearing loss your child is experiencing. If the Microtia, and therefore hearing loss, is serious enough, you can aid the child the way you would help any person with hearing loss. That is they can use a hearing aid, cochlear implant, etc.

Plastic surgeons also offer cosmetic surgery for children with Microtia. However, this surgery normally won't be offered until the child with Microtia is ten or older. If you decide to have the ear reconstructed, the plastic surgeon will take cartilage from the rib cage of the child and use it to make a new ear for him or her.

Another form of surgery to help those with Microtia which is a bit less serious is to get a prosthetic ear. A prosthetic ear, made of silicon, is attached to the head of the child with different kinds of fixtures, such as magnets and screws. If you are considering a prosthetic ear for your child with Microtia it is recommended that you first talk to the surgeon who will be performing the surgery so you will have a solid idea of how the ear will be attached.

How to Cope with Microtia

Some families decide to leave the ear affected by Microtia as is, and others simply can't do anything about Microtia until the child is older. So what can you do in the meantime? For very severe cases of Microtia where there isn't any outer ear, getting a young child a prosthetic ear may be the best option. However, this can't be done until the ear is done growing. This is a bigger issue in unilateral Microtia, or Microtia which only affects one ear.

The best thing you can do for a child with Microtia is to build their self esteem. Let them know you love them, and that their ear deformity and their Microtia doesn't make a difference about who they are. Things to Know About Mic
Another form of surgery to help those with Microtia which is a bit less serious is to get a prosthetic ear. A prosthetic ear, made of silicon, is attached to the head of the child with different kinds of fixtures, such as magnets and screws. If you are considering a prosthetic ear for your child with Microtia it is recommended that you first talk to the surgeon who will be performing the surgery so you will have a solid idea of how the ear will be attached.

How to Cope with Microtia

Some families decide to leave the ear affected by Microtia as is, and others simply can't do anything about Microtia until the child is older. So what can you do in the meantime? For very severe cases of Microtia where there isn't any outer ear, getting a young child a prosthetic ear may be the best option. However, this can't be done until the ear is done growing. This is a bigger issue in unilateral Microtia, or Microtia which only affects one ear.

The best thing you can do for a child with Microtia is to build their self esteem. Let them know you love them, and that their ear deformity and their Microtia doesn't make a difference about who they are. Things to Know About Microtia




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