[lovemybulldog]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with these needs. There doesn't seem to be a ton of info out there and I'm wondering what the success rate on ear reconstruction is and if hearing is sometimes or always affected by this condition. Any info is much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Matushka]

Depending upon the severity of the deformity, there may be no hearing loss or it may be as much as a severe loss. When there are deformities on the outside of the ear, there is also possibility of deformity on the inside in the middle ear (eardrum and bones) or in the cochlea (nerve). The best way to know how things are formed on the inside is with an MRI which I am sure the child will probably not have had. In the cases I have seen of auricular deformity (all of 5 severe cases in 17 yrs of practice as an audiologist) all the children do very well with bone conduction hearing aids, none had reconstructive surgery. One with otocleisis has outgrown the problem, though some mild hearing loss remains and the ears must be cleaned regularly to prevent obstruction. If you have specific medical information, you may be able to get a local audiologist or ENT physician to look at it with you. Depending upon the age of the child, various hearing tests can be performed to determine the degree of hearing loss if any. Let me know if you have any specific questions.