National Microtia Awareness Day was established in 2016 by Melissa Tumblin, who founded the nonprofit foundation Ear Community after her daughter Ally was born with microtia and aural atresia. Microtia is a congenital condition occurring in approximately 1 in 6,000 to 12,000 births, where the external ear (pinna) fails to fully develop during the first trimester. Frequently accompanied by aural atresia (absence of the ear canal causing conductive hearing loss), the condition requires specialized pediatric audiology. The date 11/9 was chosen intentionally because the number '9' visually mimics the shape of a human ear. The day celebrates reconstructive advances including rib-cartilage carving, porous polyethylene (Medpor) implants, 3D bioprinting research, and Bone Anchored Hearing Systems (BAHS).
National Microtia Awareness Day was established in 2016 by Melissa Tumblin, who founded the nonprofit foundation Ear Community after her daughter Ally was born with microtia and aural atresia. Microtia is a congenital condition occurring in approximately 1 in 6,000 to 12,000 births, where the external ear (pinna) fails to fully develop during the first trimester. Frequently accompanied by aural atresia (absence of the ear canal causing conductive hearing loss), the condition requires specialized pediatric audiology. The date 11/9 was chosen intentionally because the number '9' visually mimics the shape of a human ear. The day celebrates reconstructive advances including rib-cartilage carving, porous polyethylene (Medpor) implants, 3D bioprinting research, and Bone Anchored Hearing Systems (BAHS).
