Congenital Ear Anomalies

Treatments

Surgery is the typical treatment for congenital ear anomalies. Doctors with the Cleft & Craniofacial Anomalies Program at Riley at IU Health work closely with pediatric ear, nose and throat surgeons to address any inner ear issues that your child may have. The surgeons work with your family to create a treatment plan that meets the specific needs of your child.

Surgery is the typical treatment for congenital ear anomalies. Surgical procedures are based on the type of anomaly being treated:

• Microtia. Surgeries to treat microtia can be performed as early as 4 years of age. Depending on the surgeon’s preferred technique, one stage or multiple stages of surgery may be needed. Ear reconstruction can be based on a Medpore framework (one stage) or a cartilaginous framework (multiple stages). Further treatment to address hearing problems or the development of the middle or inner ear may be required. Patients with bilateral aural atresia receive bone conduction hearing aids within the first few months of life. In addition, speech therapy will be recommended as soon as a child begins to talk. Older children may receive a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA), which works by directly stimulating the inner ear through the bone.
• Prominent ears. The surgery to treat this condition is sometimes known as "pinning back the ears." Surgical correction of prominent ears does not affect the function of the ear or hearing. This procedure is typically performed after your child’s ears have reached their full size, usually around age 5 or 6.
• Lop/cupped ears. The surgical procedure used for lop/cupped ears depends on how severe the condition is. Surgery for a minor problem may involve shortening the cartilage for a more normal appearance. More severe cases can involve removal or grafting of cartilage to rebuild the ear structure or repositioning the entire ear.

The Cleft & Craniofacial Anomalies Program at Riley at IU Health strives to make treatment as convenient as possible for your family. Most of the specialists your child might need to see, such as plastic surgeons and audiologists, are available during one visit. This allows your family to make fewer trips to our facility. If necessary, your child may be referred to other pediatric experts within Riley at IU Health for additional treatment.