For many parents, asking what is microtia is something they never anticipated. It is something that happens after the birth of their child. Parents are often floored to learn, after their baby has been born that there is something wrong with the child's ear. This condition is one in which it is very hard to know a problem exists until birth. The good news is the condition does not mean any life threatening conditions exist. Moreover, in some situations, there are surgical procedures to fix this problem.Understanding the DiagnosisBut, what is microtia? This is a type of congenital disorder. It happens in about one birth in every 10,000. It causes a deformity in one or both ears. Generally, the deformity is an underdevelopment of the outer portion of the ear. In some cases, it is significantly worse and in some situations, the ear is absent. The degree of deformity ranges significantly. Some children have very little deformity while others have much more severe cases.In many patients, the deformity is not just in the outer portion. Rather, it is also related to the eardrum, the inner bones and the canal. The more significant the damage or deformity in the inner portion of the ears, the more likely there will be some level of hearing loss present. Proper diagnosis of hearing loss takes time since the child must be able to communicate with the screening doctor about what he or she can and cannot hear for a firm diagnosis to be made.Is There Help?Many children born with this condition will have help available to them. The options will range from improving hearing loss through the use of hearing aids to improving the structural components of the ear itself. This is often done using a cosmetic surgery in which the doctor will reshape the structure of the ear to create something that looks more natural. In some extreme cases, there are also prosthetic ears. These fit into the space of the ear and are designed specifically for the individual. They can help with visual improvements when there is no cartilage to use to structure an outer ear. Doctors will work with children at the age of five or six to determine what type of options are best suited for the individual circumstances.What is microtia? It is a condition that many children suffer from but that there are options for treating it. It does not always require any type of extensive surgery, but for many people, the cosmetic changes possible will make a big impact on their overall self-esteem. Individuals need to consider their options by first discussing the situation with their cosmetic surgeon. Look for a professional that specializes in this area since the expertise can help to provide the best overall outcome.
Monday, August 27, 2012
What Is Microtia?
For many parents, asking what is microtia is something they never anticipated. It is something that happens after the birth of their child. Parents are often floored to learn, after their baby has been born that there is something wrong with the child's ear. This condition is one in which it is very hard to know a problem exists until birth. The good news is the condition does not mean any life threatening conditions exist. Moreover, in some situations, there are surgical procedures to fix this problem.Understanding the DiagnosisBut, what is microtia? This is a type of congenital disorder. It happens in about one birth in every 10,000. It causes a deformity in one or both ears. Generally, the deformity is an underdevelopment of the outer portion of the ear. In some cases, it is significantly worse and in some situations, the ear is absent. The degree of deformity ranges significantly. Some children have very little deformity while others have much more severe cases.In many patients, the deformity is not just in the outer portion. Rather, it is also related to the eardrum, the inner bones and the canal. The more significant the damage or deformity in the inner portion of the ears, the more likely there will be some level of hearing loss present. Proper diagnosis of hearing loss takes time since the child must be able to communicate with the screening doctor about what he or she can and cannot hear for a firm diagnosis to be made.Is There Help?Many children born with this condition will have help available to them. The options will range from improving hearing loss through the use of hearing aids to improving the structural components of the ear itself. This is often done using a cosmetic surgery in which the doctor will reshape the structure of the ear to create something that looks more natural. In some extreme cases, there are also prosthetic ears. These fit into the space of the ear and are designed specifically for the individual. They can help with visual improvements when there is no cartilage to use to structure an outer ear. Doctors will work with children at the age of five or six to determine what type of options are best suited for the individual circumstances.What is microtia? It is a condition that many children suffer from but that there are options for treating it. It does not always require any type of extensive surgery, but for many people, the cosmetic changes possible will make a big impact on their overall self-esteem. Individuals need to consider their options by first discussing the situation with their cosmetic surgeon. Look for a professional that specializes in this area since the expertise can help to provide the best overall outcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment