What procedure is recommended if someone is born without an oval window?

The situation described involves a congenital absence of the oval window, which is a critical component of the auditory system as it plays a vital role in transmitting sound vibrations from the middle ear to the inner ear. When addressing a condition related to the oval window, the procedure of surgically fenestrating the horizontal semicircular canal is documented in medical practice. This method aims to establish an alternate pathway for sound transmission, compensating for the absence of the oval window.

Surgical fenestration can create an artificial window that provides an access point for sound waves into the cochlea, ultimately facilitating hearing. This option is based on the principles of auditory mechanics and the anatomical relationships within the ear, ensuring that sound signals can still reach the inner ear structures, which is essential for hearing acuity.

Creating an opening and constructing a membrane, while it may seem a plausible approach, does not adequately address the mechanics of sound transmission in the presence of an absent oval window. It fails to utilize the nearest anatomical structures, leading to potential complications or ineffective hearing restoration.

In contrast, the option to conduct neither of these procedures disregards the necessity for intervention in cases where an essential part of the auditory pathway is missing and would likely leave the individual without proper auditory function.