Aural Atresia, Microtia

Aural atresia occurs in approximately 1 in 20,000 births. Aural atresia is a condition in which the external ear canal is missing or underdeveloped.

In most cases, the inner ear and auditory nerve are completely normal. However, the external and middle ear is not normal.

Doctors generally diagnose a baby with this birth defect shortly after delivery during an examination. Aural atresia can affect one ear or both ears. In the affected ear, there is no hearing. If a child has aural atresia, they will require hearing tests and a hearing aid will likely be needed.

Reconstructive surgery is often desired and speech therapy is generally necessary.