Ear Deformities: An Overview Of Various Problems

More often than not, ear deformities are present at birth. Some are created through the birthing process, while others are congenital defects from the womb. They come in a variety of types and levels of seriousness. Some can affect hearing, while others may be strictly appearance-based. No matter the cause or the potential damage, however, many parents are interested in getting their child the best treatment possible. Even when the child's hearing is not at risk, going through life with something undesirable in appearance can make them a social outcast and affect their self-esteem. Here is an overview of various types and problems.

Types:
Ear deformities can cover a wide range of irregularities. One of the most common issues is a prominent outer fold, which is nothing more than the ears sticking out from the head further than usual. This is often not corrected until later in life, if at all. While it can cause the child to be a subject of some ridicule, it typically isn't the kind of problem that will result in social shunning. Contrarily, malformed and absent cartilage can lead to such a problem. The worst of these irregularities is seen in microtia, which can in some instances lead to hearing loss.

Timing:
Depending on the problem, some doctors and plastic surgeons will advise waiting until the child is at least six years old before seeking corrective surgery. The reason for this is simple: a child's ears reach their full adult size at that age. Correcting the problem before this time can lead to undesirable and unpredictable results as the child's ears continue to grow larger. Of course, this leads to some degree of overlap with the beginning of school for most children, which is something parents have to take into consideration. That said children in kindergarten and first grade are often more accepting of differences, including ear deformities, than older children.

Treatment Options:
Treatment options vary widely and can depend on the age of the child and the nature of the ear deformities. Corrective tape can sometimes be used to model the cartilage in the case of mild cases. Special muffs can be worn sometimes to help the child's ears to grow into a more pleasing shape. With more significant ear deformities, plastic surgery may be necessary to get the results needed. If there is hearing loss present due to the problem, more advanced techniques may be necessary and other options, including cochlear implants, may be considered.