Nemours Children’s Interdisciplinary Center for Ear Reconstruction (NICEAR)
- About Us
- Our Care
- What to Expect
Delivering Confidence to Kids With Ear Differences
The Nemours Children’s Interdisciplinary Center for Ear Reconstruction (NICEAR) program helps children born with ear anomalies, including microtia (an outer ear that’s not fully formed) and aural atresia (a missing ear canal).
Ear anomalies can be complex and result in hearing loss, or more cosmetic, making children or parents feel self-conscious. Regardless of your child’s condition, our experts provide reconstructive surgeries and hearing rehabilitation therapies that will give them the confidence to thrive.
Setting the Standard for Microtia Care
As one of only a few centers in the country dedicated to treating children with this condition, NICEAR provides world-class, coordinated care for microtia.
We offer expert microtia treatment from a dedicated team. We’ll help restore your child’s ear shape and hearing so they can grow with confidence.
Our multidisciplinary, team-based approach to care considers all your child’s physical and emotional needs. Beyond ear reconstruction, we can provide custom-fitted eyeglasses, speech therapy, hearing aids or cochlear implants, emotional support, counseling, resource assistance, and more.
We make care convenient for families. We can often schedule multiple appointments with several different specialists on the same day, saving you time and giving you a holistic view of your child’s care plan.
We are defining the future of microtia care. As an active research program, we’re working to better understand genetic conditions that affect the ears and how to better treat them.
“After having my surgery, sometimes I no longer feel like I have this and feel like a normal kid.”
“Since receiving the tops of her ears [reconstructed]…it has boosted her confidence and self esteem.”
“Everything happens for a reason…we were led here. This is where I was destined to be!”
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Our Leadership
Angelo Leto Barone, MD
Co-Director, Nemours Children’s Ear, Hearing, and Communication Center
Director, Nemours Children's Interdisciplinary Center for Ear Reconstruction (NICEAR)
Dr. Leto Barone is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery. His scope of work includes a range of pediatric conditions and facial differences with a special interest in ear reconstruction, especially in microtia patients. He has developed and patented a device to aid in crafting cartilage during these procedures. His additional focus includes cleft care, speech surgery, and the entire spectrum of pediatric plastic surgery.
Brian Kellogg, MD
Division Chief, Pediatric Plastic Surgery
Director, Center for Cleft & Craniofacial Differences
Co-Director, 22q Program and VPD Program
Amanda D'Ambra
Program Coordinator
Meet Our Ear Specialists
Our specialists are at the forefront of their fields. They work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for children and young adults with ear conditions.
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Valentina Abril
Medical Assistants -
Anais Andara
Physician Assistant -
Jill Ford
3D Printing -
Brittany Johnson
Registered Nurse -
Allison Negron
Licensed Practical Nurse -
Pushpak Patel
3D Printing
Microtia Surgery
Our renowned plastic surgeons are skilled in several microtia surgeries and will work with you to decide the best option for your child.
- Autologous ear reconstruction uses your child’s own cartilage from elsewhere in the body.
- Allogenic reconstruction uses cadaver cartilage for reconstruction.
- Implants that are covered with a skin graft (a flap of skin we take from another area on your child’s body).
- Prosthetic ears can be attached with glue or using an anchor attached to a bone.
A Coordinated Approach to Treat the Whole Child
Our multidisciplinary team works together to develop treatments that meet each child’s unique needs and each family’s specific goals.
Your child’s care plan may include:
- Plastic surgery to treat ear differences using advanced surgical techniques
- Ear, nose, and throat or “ENT” (otolaryngology) to diagnose middle ear problems and provide reconstruction and hearing restoration surgeries (including cochlear implants)
- Audiology to measure and treat hearing loss
- Genetic testing and counseling to look for a genetic (inherited) cause of an ear difference and help you understand how your family may be affected
- Ophthalmology to treat eye disorders that may also occur in children with ear differences
- Psychology to help your child if they experience emotional problems
- 3D photography to help plan and track your child’s progress during treatment
- Speech and language therapy to evaluate and treat speech problems (English and Spanish)
- Support services such as social work, interpreter services and school resources
- Child Life program offers kid-friendly activities to reduce fears and help your child prepare for surgery
Conditions & Treatments
We treat all kinds of ear differences, from the most common to the most complex. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.
Related Specialties & Programs
Convenient Video Appointments
We offer new and follow-up appointments through scheduled, live video visits. You can avoid waiting rooms and save travel time. Ask your doctor if this is an option for your family.
What to Expect
Our NICEAR team provides comprehensive care for children with microtia and ear differences. Our experience team of pediatric subspecialists is here to meet all of your child’s complex medical needs, and our care coordinator is available to answer any questions or provide support.
Your Child’s First Appointment at NICEAR
When a child first visits us, they will meet with many different specialists, including a:
- Plastic surgeon
- ENT provider
- Ophthalmologist
- Developmental pediatrician
- Audiologist
- Geneticist
- Speech pathologist
- Social worker
Please expect to be at Nemours Children’s Hospital for up to 4 hours and bring diapers, formula, snacks, activities, and a list of your questions.
Here’s What Happens
- Your child will remain in one exam room, and the specialists will come in separately to perform their evaluations.
- After all evaluations are complete, your family will receive a summary of the visit, and you’ll be free to go.
- Our team will then meet to discuss your child’s needs and put together a personalized treatment plan and follow-up visits will be scheduled. A copy of the treatment plan will be sent to your child’s pediatrician.
Information and Advice From Nemours KidsHealth®
Learn more about your child’s condition and how we treat it.