Ear Update

Silas' ear seems to be healing well!  We go back for our last follow up tomorrow, before heading home on Thursday.  We are ready to be home!  I wanted to explain exactly what Dr. Roberson did to repair the hearing.  Silas had a pretty good ear canal.  Most kids need a skin graft to line their new canal, but Silas did not - great news.  Dr. R was able to drill out some bone and soft tissue to open up his canal.  Silas also did have a small ear drum - again great news.  Dr. R removed Silas' malleus and incus because they were malformed.  He inserted a prosthesis that goes directly from the ear drum to the stapes.  He also was able to build up the ear drum with tissue so that it is bigger.  We can tell a difference in his hearing without the BAHA on.  There is still packing in the ear, so I am really excited to see the change when all of it has been removed.  We will have a few follow up appointments with and ENT at home who will finish removing everything.

The external ear was done the same as last time.  The only difference we have noticed it that it is much more swollen.  Last time, Silas wore a mold on his ear at all times which decreased swelling.  This time we have to put ear drops in twice a day and so he does not have the mold on.  I'm hoping it will still heal as nicely as the first one.

 This time they only shaved the sides of Silas' head so it looked like he had a really bad mohawk.  It was itching him too, so we just shaved the rest of his head.

 At the doctor last week.  The blue thing is the mold he wore the entire time last time.  He was getting his "hair" washed.  They also washed his ear a little.

 TWO EARS!  So handsome!

I know it looks rough now, but it will heal.  You can really see the stitches and it is swollen.  It is way more swollen than this now. : (  At least it doesn't hurt!  He is wearing the cup (like in the top picture) and will continue to wear it for a few more weeks for protection.