**Author details**

habilitation. These devices have been shown to improve hearing outcomes and quality of life in patients with microtia who might not otherwise benefit from traditional hearing aids. However, in order to use these implants, patients need to underwent surgery, and the portion

More recently, a new hearing device utilizing cartilage conduction has been developed [12]. Since the transducer is not necessarily fixed with pressure, the attachment causes no pain, unlike conventional bone conduction. Moreover, this cartilage conduction device does not require surgery. Cartilage conduction hearing aids have a potential as a useful amplification

We conclude that longitudinal care is required for patients with congenital microtia. This care involves the precise and regular evaluation of hearing levels from birth and investigation of malformations of the external auditory canal, middle ear, and inner ear, as well as cholesteatoma and abnormal occlusions occurring at predictable times in relationship with craniofacial growth and development. Microtia can be associated with other congenital abnormalities that are not obvious at birth. Furthermore, the external surface malformations frequently cause adverse psychosocial effects during children's growth process. Patients and their families should be supported in an unbiased manner when making decisions regarding which treatments are the most appropriate for the patient at a particular point of development, and this support must continue throughout the patients' life. In addition, means of hearing improvement should not simply be a difficult operation and instead involve careful consideration of

**Auricular hillocks:** Six (three-paired) mesenchymal condensations around the first pharyn-

**Branchial arch:** Paired structures associated with the pharynx that contribute greatly to the

**Goldenhar syndrome:** A complex congenital anomaly characterized by abnormal develop-

**Hemifacial microsomia:** A congenital condition in which one or more parts of the face are

**Branchial cleft:** The slit-like openings in the gills of fish between the branchial arches

of the implant exposed to open air has a risk of infection.

device for patients with congenital microtia and aural atresia.

the patient's interests and careful selection among the various options.

**Atresia:** The absence or closure of the external auditory canal

**Ectoderm:** One of the three primary germ layers in the early embryo

**6. Conclusion**

52 An Excursus into Hearing Loss

**Terminology index**

formation of the head and neck

ment of the eye, ear, and spine

underdeveloped

geal cleft

Kenichi Takano

Address all correspondence to: kent@sapmed.ac.jp

Department of Otolaryngology, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
