Microtia and Atresia
Microtia and atresia are two rare conditions which affect the formation of the ear and ear canal.
Microtia refers to when the external ear is incomplete or underdeveloped. It may affect one ear only (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). It is a congenital condition that occurs in one in 6,000 – 12,000 births world-wide. Microtia is often accompanied by atresia because the baby’s outer ear and the ear canal develop together during pregnancy.
Atresia is when there is an absence of an external ear canal and, in some instances the ear drum and ear bones can also be affected. This means that as there is no canal for sound to travel through. These children are born with a conductive hearing loss.
Support Centre
Our Microtia and Atresia Support Centre, the only centre of its kind in Australia, provides services, education and training, support and advocacy for families of children born with these conditions.
Our inter-disciplinary team aims to support families in navigating their health journey and assisting them to make informed decisions about their ongoing care and treatment.
Microtia and Atresia Conferences
Hear and Say’s annual Australian Microtia and Atresia Conference provides a unique opportunity to hear from industry experts. Suitable for both families and health professionals, it features a comprehensive range of topics related to microtia and atresia, presented by leading international and Australian specialists.
We also host mini conferences in other states including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Group Social Skills Program
Hear and Say offer a variety of Group Social Skills Programs, inclusive of MARS, specifically designed for children eight to 12 years of age with microtia and atresia.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Many of our services can be funded through NDIS plans.
Elspeth's story
Amy and Alastair were on a holiday in Melbourne, away from their regional Queensland town and the support network it holds, when Amy unexpectedly faced an emergency birth. Following a complicated pregnancy and now an unplanned caesarean interstate, the young couple felt so grateful to finally hold their little Elspeth in their arms.
