Eddie Hobbs, 6, was born without a left ear. But among the Hopi Tribe of Arizona, he is considered unique.

"He's very popular amongst our people because he was born that way," mother Sandra Hobbs tells WNBC.

Eddie suffers from microtia, a spontaneous birth defect. A doctor in New York is performing reconstructive surgery to create a new ear. An organization called the the Little Baby Face Foundation is paying for the two-part operation. With a special hearing aid, Eddie will be able to hear out of his left side.

Get the Story:
Doctor Helping Reconstruct Boy's Ear (WNBC 1/19)
Boy arrives with mom for a happy new ear (The New York Daily News 1/20)

Related Stories:
Hopi boy suffering birth defect to undergo surgery (01/13)