San Diego, CA -- Being born without ears seems eerie but it's not as bad as it sounds, according to a craniofacial surgeon in San Diego.

Dr. Ralph Holmes specializes in treating young children with birth defects like cleft palates and missing ears.

Facial deformities can cause a variety of personal and physical problems, but Holmes says the kids born with them don't necessarily suffer in life. In fact, he claims they often do better "... because they don't grow up trying to get by on just their looks."

The good doctor knows what he's talking about. He was born without ears and needed 13 surgeries to restore his hearing, but still graduated medical school at age 23.

These days, he's considered a pioneer in facial reconstructive surgeries but says his big joy is working with young patients and admits his own personal story gives him a deeper bond with them than other doctors might have.

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