Prosthetic ears built by 3D printers could soon be available for children born with ear deformities, thanks to the new technology being developed in Australia.
The researchers will model a synthetic scaffold that acts like a natural ear cartilage. They'll use the child's own cells to grow an ear that will then be surgically attached for cosmetic purposes.
Eventually, they'll attach a hearing implant to the ear. This will cost less than a pair of glasses.
The University of Queensland has received $125,000 to develop prosthetic ears that mimic the cartilage tissue.