Children born with under-developed or with no ears could soon benefit from a 3D printed ear made out of their own cartilage.

The Queensland University of Technology has received $120,000 in State Government and not-for-profit funding to develop 3D printed ears to help children born with microtia, a congenital deformity affecting the external ear.

They say prosthetic ears could become available in two years for less than the cost of a pair of glasses.