BORN WITHOUT BOTH EARS, LITTLE GIRL FINALLY DISCOVERS A WORLD OF SOUND AFTER RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

When Bethany and Walter learned about a little girl in India who needed a family, they knew she had been born with a rare medical condition.

The child, Hope, had no developed outer ears.

Her condition affected more than her appearance. She also had significant hearing difficulties, making it harder for her to experience the sounds that most children encounter every day.

But her future would change dramatically after she joined a family determined to help her receive the medical care she needed.

A Little Girl Born Without Ears

Hope was born with hemifacial microsomia, a congenital condition that affects the development of facial bones and soft tissues.

The condition varies considerably between patients and may involve differences in the ears, jaw and surrounding facial structures.

In Hope’s case, she was born without developed outer ears.

When Bethany and Walter received information about her during the international adoption process in 2020, they began researching the medical support she might need.

They contacted specialists at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who helped them understand her condition and the possible treatment options.

A New Family and a New Beginning

In March 2021, Bethany and Walter brought Hope home to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

They already had three biological children, and welcoming Hope marked the beginning of a new chapter for their family.

Soon after her arrival, she underwent a series of medical evaluations at CHOP.

These included imaging, hearing assessments, genetic testing and consultations with craniofacial specialists.

Her care team also emphasized the importance of allowing Hope time to bond with her new family before beginning major reconstructive treatment.

She Could Hear Loud Noises, but Much of the World Was Missing

As her parents spent more time with Hope, they realized she could respond to some loud sounds.

However, her hearing was significantly limited.

Working with CHOP audiologist Christine Nicholson, the family obtained bone-conduction hearing devices attached to a soft headband.

These devices helped transmit sound through the bones of the skull, giving Hope improved access to speech and everyday noises.

For the first time, more of the world around her became accessible.

Surgeons Reconstructed Both of Her Ears

When Hope was four years old, her family began considering reconstructive surgery.

After discussions with her medical team, they chose an approach using a MedPor framework to create the shape of her outer ears.

Hope underwent reconstruction and received a surgically implanted bone-conduction hearing device on her left side first.

Nine months later, she underwent the corresponding procedures on her right side.

Her treatment involved reconstructive specialists in California, while CHOP continued providing craniofacial guidance and hearing care.

From Hearing Loud Noises to Enjoying Music

Following treatment, Hope had two reconstructed ears and implanted hearing devices on both sides.

Her mother described an extraordinary improvement in her daughter’s access to sound.

Previously, Hope had responded mainly to loud noises. With her hearing devices, she could experience speech and many of the quieter sounds of everyday life.

Although the devices did not give her completely typical hearing, the improvement made an enormous difference.

A Little Girl Who Loves to Sing and Dance

In CHOP’s published patient story, seven-year-old Hope was enjoying school, music, reading, coloring and playing with friends.

She also participated in a church singing group and loved dancing.

Her hospital shared a photograph of Hope performing at a ballet recital in 2025.

Her medical journey is not entirely finished. Specialists continue monitoring her facial development, and she may consider additional treatment as she grows older.

But for her family, seeing Hope sing, dance and engage with the world around her has been a remarkable transformation.

Source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “Hemifacial Microsomia: Hope’s Story.”