Health · Healthcare & Policy · 3 hrs ago
New prosthetic ear lets Northern Ireland man hear on his left side
Stephen Gilbert, 74, can now hear sounds from his left side for the first time, using a newly designed prosthetic ear.
He was born in Aghalee, Northern Ireland, with unilateral microtia, a rare condition in which the outer ear is underdeveloped or missing on one side.
The prosthesis was made at the Ulster Hospital, which provides custom devices for people affected by birth defects, injuries and cancer surgery.
Small implants hold the artificial ear in place, and it was shaped and coloured to match Gilbert’s other ear.
A hearing aid in the prosthesis sends sound from his left side to his functioning ear.
The device has improved both his hearing and confidence after years of feeling self-conscious about the missing ear.
The Ulster Hospital service has made about 4,000 prostheses and devices for more than 250 patients.
Stephen Gilbert, 74, from Aghalee, can hear on his left side for the first time after receiving a prosthetic ear that accommodates a hearing aid.
Gilbert was born with unilateral microtia, a condition in which the external ear is underdeveloped or missing on one side.
The prosthesis was made through the oral and maxillofacial surgery service at the Ulster Hospital, the only service of its kind in Northern Ireland.
A hearing aid in the prosthesis transmits sounds from Gilbert’s left side to his functioning ear.
The prosthesis has also helped him feel less self-conscious when his ear is exposed.
- Who
- Stephen Gilbert, 74, from Aghalee.
- What
- He received a prosthetic ear that holds a hearing aid, allowing him to hear sounds from his left side.
- When
- Recently; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- The prosthesis was made through the oral and maxillofacial surgery service at the Ulster Hospital in Northern Ireland.
- Why
- Gilbert was born with unilateral microtia and could not hear on his left side.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gilbert could cover the area where his ear should have been while boys commonly wore their hair long.
Gilbert first attended the Ulster Hospital for a prosthetic ear.
Artificial ears were made, repaired and adapted for Gilbert.
Gilbert was fitted with a newly designed prosthesis that accommodates a hearing aid.
- Age
- 74
- Hometown
- Aghalee
- Condition
- Unilateral microtia
- Hospital
- Ulster Hospital
- Service
- The only oral and maxillofacial surgery service of its kind in Northern Ireland
- Experience
- Gilbert first attended the hospital for a prosthetic ear in October 1997
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What people are saying
To be able to hear someone on my left that I could never do before is just very special
It's a huge thing to be able to have a prosthetic part of your face