Beyond the apparent visual deformity of the ear, children with microtia often experience some hearing loss due to the closure or absence of the external ear canal. This hearing loss can affect how the child's speech will develop.

Can ear problems affect speech?

It may be harder to hear and understand speech if sound is muffled by fluid in the middle ear. Some researchers report that frequent hearing loss in children with middle ear fluid may lead to speech and language difficulties.

What kind of hearing loss does microtia cause?

In most instances the children with microtia will have normal inner ears and sensory structures, causing conductive (rather than sensory) hearing loss. Hearing testing with bone conduction is necessary to see if sensory hearing loss is also present.