After Surgery Care

Specific instructions for ear care after surgery will be provided throughout your visits to the clinic. At the final postoperative visit, instructions for long-term care will be given and customized to each patient. In general, long-term ear care involves the following:

• Ear Cleanings: Regular cleanings are required for the patient's lifetime and must be performed by an ear doctor with a microscope. The first cleaning after returning home is typically needed approximately six weeks after your final visit to the clinic. The first year after surgery, cleanings should be performed on average every 3-4 months. The second year after surgery, cleanings should occur every 4-6 months. Afterward, cleanings should occur every 6-12 months (1-2 times per year) as recommended by your local doctor.

• Hearing Test (Audiogram): The first hearing test after surgery is recommended 5-6 months after the date of surgery. The ear canal should be cleaned by your doctor within 1-2 weeks prior to the hearing test. Hearing test results should be emailed to us at atresiarepair@calear.com. We recommend a second hearing test ~1 year after surgery, and as long as the hearing is stable, once every 1-2 years thereafter, or if there is a sudden change in hearing.

• Water Exposure: In general, the ear canal should be kept dry until after the first ear cleaning after surgery. After the cleaning, it is safe to swim and bathe normally without preventing water from entering the ear canal, and no special care is necessary.