Aural Atresia / Canal Stenosis Repair

Aural Atresia is a condition where the ear canal has failed to form and there is no opening from the outside ear to the inner ear. In the case of canal stenosis, there is an opening, but it is extremely narrow and restrictive.  In most cases, this congenital abnormality is present on one side only (>80%). It is usually found more often in males and the cochlea and hearing nerve is usually not affected.   95 % of the time, Aural Atresia is present with a second condition called MICROTIA, which takes several different forms.  Repairing aural atresia requires a comprehensive surgical plan that also includes microtia repair.

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Baha Implantation (Bone Anchored Hearing Appliance)

For patients who are not good atresia repair candidates, or where a skilled atresia repair surgeon is not available, a Baha device can be used to correct the hearing loss on the atretic side. Baha stands for Bone Anchored Hearing Appliance.

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BCHA/Softband Baha

The Baha external sound processor can also be worn on a headband. This is a good configuration for children under five. Bone Conduction Hearing Aids (BCHAs) are older technology which provides similar results. The Baha device is more reliable, less cumbersome, fully digital, and integrates with more tools (such as FM Systems) that may be in use in children’s classroom.

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VORP

For patients who are not good candidates for atresia repair there is an alternative treatment by way of the VORP (The Vibrant® Soundbridge®) is a implantable middle ear hearing device intended to restore hearing to patients with either conductive or sensorineural hearing loss.

Learn More About VORP Implantable Middle Ear Hearing Device

Microtia Reconstruction

Microtia (meaning 'Small ear') is a congenital deformity of the outer ear. The surgical reconstruction of Microtia is part of the overall surgical process for patients with this condition.

Rib Graft Reconstruction

A rib is removed and used to provide the framework for the reconstructed ear. Usually performed after age 6 to ensure that the ear has stopped growing and the rib cage is large enough to provide the donor material necessary. Rib graft auricular reconstruction requires three to four surgical procedures for unilateral microtia and five or more for bilateral microtia.

Medpor Reconstruction

This is a two stage surgery which can start around age 3. Note that for patients with both Microtia and Atresia that when using Medpor for the outer ear reconstruction, the atresia repair can be done FIRST or can be done at the SAME time as the atresia repair. In some patients, the atresia repair can be done AFTER the Medpor outer ear reconstruction (as mentioned above with the rib graft reconstruction, the atresia repair is done AFTER).

Soft tissue reconstruction:

Ear Prosthesis:

A craniofacial prosthesis or auricular (ear) prosthesis is custom made by an anaplastologist to mirror the other ear. Prosthetic ears can appear very realistic yet they do require daily care. They are typically made of silicone which is colored to match your individual skin and can be attached using adhesive or with titanium screws inserted into the skull to which the prosthetic is attached with a magnetic or bar/clip type system. These screws are the same as the BAHA (bone anchored hearing Appliance) screws.