Identification of congenital auricular deformities during newborn hearing screening allows for non-surgical correction: a Mayo Clinic pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To introduce a Mayo Clinic pilot study in which newborn hearing screeners are trained to identify congenital auricular deformities, allowing for non-surgical correction with a simple splint initiated in the immediate neonatal period.

Methods: Newborn hearing screeners received education on evaluation of congenital auricular deformities. Ten infants with 19 affected ears amenable to treatment with a simple splint were enrolled between June 15 and December 10, 2009. Splinting was initiated prior to the infant's discharge from the hospital.

Results: Congenital auricular deformities amenable to correction with splinting included cup ear, Stahl's ear, and prominent ear. All ears were assessed by physical examination and photographic documentation prior to splinting and at follow-up visits. All exhibited improvement from the original deformity after 1-4 weeks of splinting. There were no instances of skin irritation or breakdown.

Conclusion: Splinting therapy of congenital auricular deformities is very effective when initiated within the first 3 days of life while cartilage is quite malleable. Newborn hearing screening is performed within 24-48 h of birth and is an ideal opportunity to identify auricular deformities. This pilot study shows that early identification of auricular deformities by properly educated newborn hearing screeners is feasible, allowing for successful initiation of splinting therapy.