Ear Deformities
Ear deformities or abnormalities in children can be congenital, meaning the child was born with the condition, or develop later due to trauma. Ear deformities can vary in severity, and symptoms can range from cosmetic to loss of hearing and related function. The pediatric plastic surgeons at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s, together with pediatric audiologists, otolaryngologists (ENTs) and others, diagnose and treat children with deformities of the ear in order to improve both appearance and function.
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Some congenital ear deformities may resolve on their own as a baby continues to grow and develop. Others may require medical intervention, which can include both surgical and non-surgical options. Discussing treatment options with a pediatric plastic surgeon as early as possible will help ensure your child gets the right treatment at the right time to correct their deformity.
It’s not always clear what causes congenital ear anomalies, but some potential triggers may include restricted blood supply during fetal development, genetic disorders or exposure to certain medications while in utero.
Types of Ear Deformities in Babies & Children
Some of the most common childhood ear deformities include:
- Conchal crus ear
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This congenital anomaly occurs when the ear cartilage does not fully develop during fetal growth, resulting in an abnormal cartilage fold that extends into the hollow middle portion of the outer ear (conchal bowl), dividing the ear in half. In severe cases, the cartilage may cause the conchal bowl to bulge outward or obstruct the entrance to the ear canal.
- Cryptotia
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Also called hidden ear, buried ear or pocket ear, this congenital deformity causes the top part of the ear to grow beneath the skin of the head. The cartilage framework of the ear is usually intact with cryptotia but is hidden under the skin, so it may appear to be missing.
- Constricted ear
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This congenital deformity involves a malformed upper rim of the ear, or helical rim, making the rim appear wrinkled or rolled. Constricted ear is also sometimes called lop ear or cup ear.
- Cauliflower ear
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This type of deformity is usually brought on by trauma to the ear that causes blood to collect between the cartilage and the skin. This leads to abnormal cartilage forming on top of normal cartilage, resulting in the ear appearing bulky or bulbous. Also called wrestler’s ear, it is common among athletes who participate in sports such as wrestling, boxing and martial arts.
- Stahl’s ear
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This congenital ear deformity causes the ear to have a pointed shape due to an extra fold of cartilage on the outer ear.
- Microtia
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Microtia is a congenital condition in which a baby is born with a small and malformed external ear. This condition can range from mild to severe, and can affect one or both ears. It can occur alone or it can be present with other congenital conditions. In the most severe cases, the ear may be completely missing (anotia).
- Anotia
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This congenital ear deformity is characterized by the total absence of the external ear, and is the most severe form of microtia ear deformity. Anotia is rare and can affect both ears (bilateral), or more commonly, one ear (unilateral).
- Ear tags
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This ear malformation, also known as accessory tragus or a branchial cleft remnant, is made up of skin and cartilage. They usually appear in front of an infant’s ear or on their cheek.
- Protruding ears
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Also known as prominent ears, ears are considering protruding if they extend more than 2 centimeters from the head, regardless of size. Protruding ears are the most common infant ear abnormality, affecting about 5 percent of the population.
Ear Deformity Diagnosis and Treatment
Congenital ear deformities are usually visible at birth, but other symptoms may develop in the months and years after a baby is born. These include:
- Chronic ear infections
- Hearing loss
- Speech and language delays
If a deformity is observed at birth, your baby’s doctor will perform a physical evaluation, examining the external ear and looking inside the ear canal with an otoscope. In some cases, no treatment is needed because the ears gradually self-correct as your baby grows. Depending on the type and severity, congenital ear deformities can be treated with:
- Ear molding: This is a non-surgical procedure in which a customized mold is placed over the baby’s ear within the first several weeks of life, when the ears are still flexible. The mold will help gradually reshape the ear over two to four weeks.
- Surgery: For more severe ear deformities, surgical correction may be needed when your child is older, usually after 5 years of age. Surgical options include otoplasty to correct protruding ears, or surgical reconstruction of the ear for conditions such as microtia. Surgical treatment of an ear deformity may require a multiple, staged surgeries to reshape the outer ear.
For non-cosmetic issues, your child may be referred to other specialists such as a pediatric ENT physician, pediatric audiologist or pediatric speech-language pathologist. If your child is experiencing hearing loss as a result of their ear deformity, treatment options can include hearing aid devices or in some cases, surgery.
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UH Rainbow is recognized as a Level I Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), reserved for hospitals that meet the highest standards for quality care, safety, staffing, training, data collection and infrastructure. This quality indicator means that we are focused to prevent complications, hold down costs and improve patient outcomes.