Implants for ear canal atresia

The BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant bridges the atresia

The pinna is important for hearing to a limited extent, but dysplasia of the outer ear can also be reflected in the ear canal and thus cause hearing loss. Hearing implants help to compensate for hearing loss.

Hearing problems are usually an invisible impairment. One exception is the so-called auditory canal atresia, the closure of the external auditory canal, sometimes combined with a malformation of the middle ear. It is often accompanied by an unusually small auricle, also known as microtia, or the complete absence of the auricle, also known as anotia. Sometimes, however, the pinna and middle ear are inconspicuous, while the part of the ear canal in between, just before the eardrum, which we cannot see from the outside, is closed. Even then, the sound cannot reach the inner ear and those affected are hard of hearing.

If necessary, specialists in reconstructive surgery can help those affected to achieve an inconspicuous appearance with a cosmetic reconstruction of the pinna, thereby avoiding potential stigmatization. Although hearing function cannot be achieved with conventional hearing aids, as these also emit sound into the blocked ear canal, bone conduction systems transmit sound directly to the healthy inner ear via the bone. Implantable solutions in particular enable those affected to enjoy almost unrestricted hearing.

What is an atresia?

Ear canal atresia refers to a malformation of the external auditory canal, which extends from the pinna to the eardrum. This canal may be completely closed or closed in a short section, or it may not be created or at least be significantly narrowed. Atresia can occur unilaterally or bilaterally. It can be associated with a malformation of the pinna and the middle ear. Atresia can also occur together with other symptoms as a result of a syndromic underlying disease.

How does atresia affect hearing?

The blocked ear canal causes conductive hearing loss. Bilateral atresia causes delays in hearing, speech and communication development, but unilateral dysplasia also significantly restricts hearing function: Speech comprehension is significantly more difficult in everyday life in noisy environments, as is the localization of sounds. Middle ear implants, bone conduction implants and hearing aids based on bone conduction provide a remedy.

How does a hearing aid help with atresia?

Middle ear implants, bone conduction implants and hearing aids based on bone conduction have one thing in common: they convert sound into mechanical vibrations, which are then transmitted to the human bone in the middle ear or at the temple. This in turn conducts them to the healthy inner ear. Hearing consultant Michael 's daughter is also one of those affected. Based in southern Lower Austria, he and the hear together-strong together association offer the opportunity to exchange information and contacts.