Question
Congenital external auditory canal atresia with associated malformations; bilateral canal atresia and malformations. Previous treatment and outcomes: None. Desired assistance: How to treat? Which hospital is more authoritative?
Answer
Congenital external auditory canal atresia is a developmental disorder of the outer ear canal that occurs when the second branchial arch fails to canalize during the fetus’s 8th to 28th week of gestation. The degree of malformation is categorized into three levels based on the location and severity. The primary basis for diagnosis is hearing tests, understanding the nature of hearing impairment. If it is conductive hearing loss, it is a candidate for surgery, and treatment is recommended to be performed when the child’s mastoid growth and development are well-established.