Congenital Outer Ear Anomaly | Symptoms & Causes
What causes outer ear anomalies?
Outer ear anomalies can be caused by a variety of factors, such as:
- Genetics
- Fetal positioning during development or birth
- Prenatal exposure to certain medications, or alcohol
- Unknown cases — sometimes the case of a congenital outer ear anomaly is unknown
Congenital Outer Ear Anomaly | Diagnosis & Treatments
How are congenital outer ear anomalies diagnosed?
Congenital outer ear anomalies are apparent upon birth, and are usually diagnosed in the hospital when a baby is born. A physical exam will be performed to access the severity of the anomaly and determine which ear structures are involved. The inner ear might also be examined with an otoscope. If your child has microtia, an auditory brainstem response (ABR) evaluation is recommended.
How is a congenital outer ear anomaly treated?
Congenital outer ear anomalies have a variety of treatments depending on your child’s diagnosis and the severity of the anomaly. Surgical correction is one such treatment. By the time your child is 5 years old, their ears have developed and are ready for surgery. Surgical treatments can include otoplasty to correct protruding ears, or ear reconstruction to treat underdeveloped ear and microtia.
Yet some children don’t need treatment because as they grow, ear anomalies such as prominent ear and lop ear can sometimes correct themselves, if they aren’t severe. Also, those two conditions typically don’t affect a child’s hearing or balance.
But severe anomalies should be treated in the first few weeks after birth, when the ear is still malleable. For example, before your baby is 3 months old, a plastic splint known as ear molding can be placed under the helix, or outer rim, of your child’s ear. Ear molding can help correct constricted, lop, or cup ears by reshaping the ear.
How we care for congenital outer ear anomalies
The Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital is ready to prepare the best treatment plan for your child. Our specialized, experienced team understands which treatments can address your child's individual needs, and we include you and your family in every step of treatment.
