Microtia: How To Get The Right Help

Microtia is a condition related to the ears. The patient might have one ear that is smaller than the other ear, and the impacted ear is abnormally formed. The inner ear is usually not affected. A doctor will perform tests to determine which form of the condition that the patient has. A patient may experience hearing loss with some forms of this disease. This occurs because a part of the external ear is sufficiently damaged to make it difficult to hear. The sound is not able to travel to the inner ear for these patients. People who have severe hearing loss due to the condition might need to visit a speech therapist to help them improve their speech. There are some accommodations that are available to help people with hearing loss that is caused by this issue. The person might be able to use a hearing aid to improve hearing.

This condition can cause a person to have a lack of confidence or lowered self-esteem due to the cosmetic differences between the typical ear and the ear with microtia. A doctor who is experienced in treating people with this condition may choose specific surgical methods to correct the ear. In some of the more extreme cases, the person with the condition might have an ear that is extremely small with the appearance that the person does not have an ear. In the most typical form of the condition, the person has an ear that is smaller with abnormal areas and the lack of a true earlobe. Although the condition most often is visible in one ear, there are incidents in which a person might have it in both ears. When this happens, people who have the condition in both ears might have trouble hearing in both ears. Therefore, it might be even more difficult for a child who has the condition in both ears to learn to talk. Tests will be conducted to determine the level of the person's hearing loss. From this information, the doctor can provide better information on how the condition might be treated.

Surgery can take place in various stages. If both ears are impacted, the doctor might decide to work on them during one session. The doctor can also discuss the order for the surgery and the use of anesthesia. During reconstructive surgery, the doctor might need to use bones or cartilage from other parts of the body for the procedure.

You must be sure that the doctor is experienced enough to complete the surgery. The surgery can be complicated, and you would want to be sure that the doctor can perform the necessary reconstructive surgery. You should also ask the doctor questions regarding recovery. The doctor should explain the steps that he will take during the procedure, and let you know if subsequent procedures are necessary. Reconstructive surgery can give some patients the structure necessary to wear certain types of hearing aids. This is particularly important if the patient has hearing loss. In any case, the surgery can assist some patients who seek to correct damage from microtia.