Treatment of Ear Deformities

About the disease

According to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, approximately 6 to 45% of all babies are born with some kind of ear deformity. In most cases, these deformities become less apparent as the child grows. However, some ear deformities can cause hearing difficulties as well as the obvious cosmetic inconvenience.

Ear deformities can be the result of the position the fetus adopted in utero. As the newborn baby grows, the ear is likely to unfold on its own and look normal by the time the child is a few weeks or months old. However, if this does not happen, there are surgical procedures that can correct the shape of the ear.

Normally, the ear is shaped pretty much like the letter C. There are several types of ear deformities, some of which only affect the outer structure and not the ability to hear. The most common type of ear deformity is protrusion of the ears. This condition is also known as prominent ears and can be seen most commonly in little children. Protrusion is considered to be a deformity if the distance of the helix (upper cartilage) is more than 2 cm from the side of the head.

Another type of ear deformity is constriction of the ears, where the ears are folded over or wrinkled. This condition is also known as lop ear. If part of the ear is hidden beneath the skin at the side of the head, this condition is known as cryptopia.

Although most ear deformities are hereditary, trauma or genetic mutation can also cause these conditions. Sometimes, ear deformities can also indicate certain medical conditions, such as Goldenhar syndrome.

Symptoms

• Ear looks different to the normal “C” shape
• Deformity does not resolve itself as the child grows

Diagnosis

• Usually, a general examination is enough to diagnose an ear deformity. The otolaryngologist will examine the ear to determine the extent of the deformity.
• The doctor will also inquire about the patient’s family history, to establish whether the condition runs in the family. The mother’s experience during pregnancy is also likely to be discussed and whether there were any complications during childbirth.
• The patient’s ears will be tested with an audiogram, to find out if the deformity has had a detrimental effect on their hearing.

Treatment

• Conservative treatment, such as ear molding, can be performed within days or weeks of the baby’s birth. At this stage, the baby’s ears are still very soft and can be molded easily.
• Plastic correctional surgery may be performed later, if the ear molding was unsuccessful. Most children need to be at least 5 years old before this surgery can be performed.
• Sometimes, a skin graft is used to correct the shape of the ear.