Microtia and Atresia
Microtia and atresia are two rare conditions which affect the formation of her 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.
Upcoming Events
Sydney Mini Conference
Date: Saturday 16 May, 2020
The health and safety of our clients and families is paramount and due to the current COVID-19 situation, Hear and Say has made the decision to postpone the Sydney Microtia and Atresia Mini Conference. While we can’t predict what will happen in the coming weeks, we are continuing to monitor the situation very closely, and taking advice from the Australian Government and Queensland Health. We hope to be able to reschedule this program once more is known about the impact of COVID-19 in Australia.
Brisbane Conference
Date: 19-20 September, 2020
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) FAQs
Your questions regarding NDIS and our Mini Conferences answered – read about how you can manage your NDIS, the conference costs and more.
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.
Online education
Watch presentations from experts at the 2019 Microtia and Atresia Conference in Brisbane. These presentation recordings cover auditory development, hearing intervention options, ear reconstruction options, and a parent and patient panel.
For Families
Cost: $395 (6.75 hours parent training). This can be funded through your NDIS plan – please contact us if you would like to discuss funding.
For Professionals
Continuing Professional Development points
Professional development points are available for audiologists (CPD points) and Listening and Spoken Language Specialists (CEU points). It is a requirement that you complete and submit the necessary paperwork below to be eligible for professional development points.
- Audiology Australia CPD points – 6.25 (approval no. CPD1920 019)
- AG Bell CEU points also available.
Cost: $87.50 each. Please note, they must be viewed and paid as two separate sessions. Both must be purchased to be eligible for CPD points.
Audiology Australia forms
Please download, complete and return the following forms to claim your CPD points.
