Q16: Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing
Q16.4: Other congenital malformations of middle ear
The ear is a sensory organ that is used to hear and to maintain one’s balance. There are 3 different areas in the ear: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The middle ear begins behind the eardrum. It consists of the air-filled tympanic cavity and the 3 ossicles. The ossicles transmit sounds from the eardrum to the inner ear in the form of vibrations.
While developing in the womb, many different types of tissue develop in the body. The organs and body parts develop out of the various types of tissue. A child’s development in the womb being disrupted can cause malformations,
causing the middle ear to be missing or have an altered shape. Ear deformities can lead to poorer hearing with the affected ear or no hearing at all.
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