Atresia

Aural atresia is a condition in which there is no external ear canal. Patients with this condition may have malformation of the external and middle ears. Often, the inner ear and auditory nerve are normal.

Aural atresia usually affects just one ear (unilateral aural atresia), but sometimes occurs in both ears (bilateral aural atresia). Several treatment options are available. A normal-sized ear canal can be created through aural atresia repair surgery, which can be done as an outpatient procedure.

Often, surgery for the creation of the ear canal is coordinated in conjunction with plastic surgery for a related abnormality of the external ear (microtia). If these procedures are not the patient’s best option, a bone-anchored hearing device can be implanted to route sound to the inner ear.

Auditory osseointegrated devices most commonly consist of an implant and an external sound processor. The external sound processor can also be used without an implant and worn on a headband. This non-surgical approach is an option for some adults and all children under the age of five.