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If you are reading these lines, either you have a child born with microtia, or you are an individual who was born with this condition. Approximately 1 in 10,000 children are born with microtia. Since it is not a very common condition, there is often a lack of information not only for families but also for many physicians who are not specifically focused on this topic. With this website, we aim to guide families about what they may experience after the birth of a child with microtia and to provide detailed information about the examinations, diagnostic tests, and microtia treatment options that may be required.
Contrary to popular belief, children are aware of differences in their own physical appearance. Usually starting from the age of four years, they begin to notice their differences and ask their parents, “Why is my ear like this?” This moment is a valuable opportunity to talk with a child about microtia and their unique condition. Calm, supportive answers help the child face and accept microtia in a healthy way. This approach allows the process leading up to ear reconstruction surgery to proceed without negatively affecting the child''s self-confidence or psychological well-being.
Some parents prefer not to talk about their child’s physical difference because they fear that the child may feel hurt. However, this approach can be harmful. In children whose parents try to hide their microtia condition or avoid discussing it, we often observe more frequent self-confidence issues. The correct approach is to begin explaining the child’s physical difference in simple and supportive language as soon as the child asks the first question. When this communication is handled properly, children usually become interested in ear reconstruction on their own. If you have never spoken with your child about microtia and your child is older than five years old, it may be time to begin discussing this topic gently. Instead of giving technical explanations, you may use a storytelling approach appropriate for the child’s age and personality. For example, you may begin the conversation like this:
“Some children are born different from others. Some are tall, some are short, some have blue eyes, others have brown eyes, some have blonde hair, and some have dark hair. Sometimes children are also born with one or two smaller ears, just like you. Do you know something? This difference makes you very special because only one child out of every 10,000 is like you. Did you know that small ears can be made bigger? There is a beautiful city called Bodrum where a kind doctor named Dr. Mehmet Mutaf lives. His job is to help children who were born with small ears and create a new ear for them. If you would like your small ear to look like the other one, we can visit him after you turn six. What do you think about that?”
If the child says they do not want this, do not insist. Pressuring the child may lead to the opposite reaction. If you remain patient, the child will eventually reopen the conversation about their ear on their own. When that moment arrives, answer calmly and naturally. When you decide to visit our clinic for an examination, you may talk about how beautiful their new ear will look, the activities you will do together after ear reconstruction surgery, and how they will be able to wear glasses or earrings.
Sometimes parents bring their 8-10 year-old children for examination and ask us not to mention microtia to the child. Unfortunately, this situation can damage the trust between parents and the child and can also affect the doctor-patient relationship negatively. Children who feel they have been “deceived” often develop negative attitudes during the examination and may refuse surgery.
Therefore, we kindly ask parents to help their children face the condition before coming to the examination and to create a supportive environment where the child develops the desire for ear reconstruction naturally. Instead of saying you are going on a vacation to Bodrum, you may explain that the child will meet Dr. Mehmet Mutaf, a doctor who creates new ears for children born with small ears.Because microtia is a treatable condition, and your child can live a completely normal life after a successful ear reconstruction procedure.
As a physician who has been working in microtia treatment for many years, I have seen hundreds of patients of all ages. Many individuals born with microtia have grown up to become confident and successful doctors, teachers, engineers, artists, business professionals, and public officials.
For this reason, I can sincerely say: “NO TEARS FOR SMALL EARS.”
Today, it is possible to construct a new ear for your child using their own tissues through advanced microtia reconstruction surgery. There is a solution, and it is not far away.
You are welcome to visit our clinic, where we focus specifically on microtia diagnosis and treatment. No matter how old your child is, you may schedule an appointment and come for an evaluation at any time.
