Zuzanna

Right auricular prosthesis, attached using magnets

“When I was little, I had very short hair and my little ear was completely visible. My auricular deformity has never been a problem for my family. It was when I went to primary school that I started hiding it because my friends would ask questions. I did not want to be treated differently from any of the other children, especially at school, because in addition to everything else, I can’t hear on the right-hand side.

When I was 12, I met a surgeon who explained the two methods of reconstruction. I was afraid that the ear reconstructed via surgery would not be good enough - especially as it would be a permanent solution. After 6 years of thinking about it, I opted for a prosthesis with implants, which can be improved each time it is renewed.  

When I received my first prosthesis, I felt good. Even if I was still focused on my ear, I immediately tied up my hair, which I had never done before! When I showed it to my parents, my dad who works in the artistic field, gave it his thumbs up! As for my mum, she was happy to see me growing in confidence again. Since I’ve had my prosthesis, I’ve taken better care of myself: I wear dresses, I do different hairstyles, I go out more, I am more sociable than before and I just feel so much better. I even do sport, because I can see that there is a reason for that now. I am still a bit afraid that people will realize that I am wearing a prosthesis and ask me questions which I am not yet ready for, but I am trying to make that into less of an issue!”