Can you hear me now?

Performance artist, Stelios Arcadiou (known as Stelarc) has grown an ear on his arm in the name of art. The idea in of itself is pretty unique but I think it was done for shock value. There are people living their lives with physical deformities and birth defects. I don't think it is something to take lightly. All the time and energy that has gone into growing this ear could have been used for someone who really needed it - not for art's sake. And besides, I haven't heard his concept and purpose for doing such a thing. It's not like the extra ear can hear or anything.