First off, I never even knew this was thing. Now that I do know it is a thing and why it’s a thing…it’s quite interesting and I will probably be forever looking at peoples ears to see if they have a tiny hole above them!

These tiny ear holes are extremely uncommon and occur in less than 1-percent of the U.S. population. In Asia, roughly 4 in 10 people have them. 

No, these are not old piercing holes…they are a congenital malformation called preauricular sinuses…and they are completely harmless. 

The holes can be inherited, however they can arise spontaneously.

The holes typically only occur above one ear and can at times become infected, however infection is rare. 

Here is the definition of preauricular sinuses:

A preauricular sinus (also known as a congenital auricular fistula, a congenital preauricular fistula, a Geswein hole, an ear pit, or a preauricular cyst) is a common congenital malformation characterized by a nodule, dent or dimple located anywhere adjacent to the external ear.

…and now you know! 

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