Man hears with new prosthetic ear after 74 years
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Stephen Gilbert, 74, of Aghalee, Northern Ireland, recently received a prosthetic ear and hearing aid allowing him to hear on his left side for the first time.
Gilbert was born with unilateral microtia, a rare condition causing underdevelopment of the external ear on one side. For 29 years, he received artificial ears from the Ulster Hospital, the only facility in Northern Ireland offering this service for people with birth defects, injuries, or cancer recovery.
Previous attempts to reconstruct an ear through surgery did not produce natural-looking results. After reading about advances in prosthetics, Gilbert sought help from his doctor, leading to the removal of grafted tissue and the implantation of supports for a new prosthetic. The prosthetic ear, modeled on his right ear, not only improves Gilbert’s appearance but also holds a hearing aid that transmits sound.
Consultant maxillofacial prosthetist Brian Bigmore has created around 4,000 prostheses for over 250 patients, including artificial ears, eyes, noses, and limbs. Bigmore explained that facial defects can severely impact a patient’s confidence and quality of life, and that restoring appearance and function can help them regain a sense of normalcy and re-engage with the world. He described patients who, after receiving prosthetics, felt able to resume activities like traveling and socializing.
