Ear deformities are ears with abnormal shapes and absence of order in the ear parts. There are no associated functional defects and may be classified as follows:
- Lop ear: The external ear is placed at an angle away from the head.
- Low set ear: The ears are centrally located in close proximity.
- Dysplastic ear: This occurs due to chromosomal errors, which cause abnormally shaped external ears.
- Cup shape: Folded ears.
- Elfin ears or Stahl’s ear: Ears with edges of pointed shape.
- Earlobe deformities: Varied shapes of earlobes, such as earlobes with skin tags, duplicate earlobes, or clefts.
- Cauliflower ear: Excess cartilage is produced over the normal cartilage to make the ears bulky and out of shape.
What are the Symptoms and Signs of Ear Deformities?
The deformed structure of the ear is the most obvious sign. However, other associated symptoms and signs may also be observed. These include the following:
- Hearing loss: Various degrees of hearing loss can occur.
- Ear infections: These are very common and can occur frequently.
- Facial deformities: These include small lower jaw and small cheekbones, which can sometimes occur only on one side.
- Teeth abnormalities: These can present as crooked, overlapping or crowded teeth.
- Mouth abnormalities: These may include mouth that is large, small, wide or narrow.