Q10-Q18: Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck

Q16: Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing

Congenital malformations of the ear causing impairment of hearing form a range of conditions that an individual is born with, leading to varying degrees of hearing loss. These abnormalities may affect the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear, and in certain instances, multiple parts may be impacted concurrently. Causes of these conditions are typically genetic, meaning they are inherited from parents, or they can arise from problems during fetal development. Symptoms commonly involve difficulties with hearing, like muffled or distorted sounds, inability to hear quiet sounds, or total deafness. It's important to note, progression of these conditions can vary greatly from person to person, as some may experience gradual improvement while others may face consistent or worsening symptoms. Other systems of the body can also be affected, particularly in syndromic cases where additional malformations or functional issues elsewhere in the body are present.