Are You All Ears?

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“My name is J and I am very conscious of my ears. I am told that there are people out there with worse, but they do stick out,” said an email written to Michael Bermant, a board certified member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

“J” is not the only person conscious of his ears. According to the ASPS, 30,000 otoplasty procedures were performed in 2006. Otoplasty is an ear surgery that, when completed, will set the ears back closer to the head or could also reduce the size of larger ears.

Deformities of the Ears

There are a number of different deformities of the ears, including:

  • Cup Ear—some parts of the outer ear develop irregularly, causing protruding, cup-shaped ear
  • Lop Ear—or bat ear, where the inner part of the external ear grows at a right angle to the head instead of parallel to it
  • Cauliflower Ear—deformity caused by injury or inflammation

The ASPS reports that most ear operations are performed on children between the ages of four and 14.

Are You Ready for an Ear Change?

Otoplasty procedures such as ear pinning are better completed when a child is over five because of the self-esteem issues they encounter during adolescence. The constant teasing about Dumbo, Mickey Mouse, or rabbit ears could be avoided if the procedure were done earlier in life.

The procedure has also been a blessing to adults who have not only been self-conscious about their “big ears,” but also have hidden their deformity under a hat or long hair and refused to wear jewelry that will bring attention to their ears. It is all a matter of image.

The Surgery

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the surgery begins with an incision behind the ear where the surgeon may remove skin or cartilage or trim or reshape the cartilage.

Ears can also be reshaped, reduced in size or made to look symmetrical. The surgeon will secure the cartilage in a new position with stitches that are permanent, anchoring the ear for the healing process.

The procedure takes about one to three hours and is done in the office or at an outpatient facility where the patient will be given a general anesthesia. Since this is considered elective surgery, it may not be covered by insurance at all or may be partially covered depending on the need.

Before undergoing an otoplasty procedure, it is important to find a board certified cosmetic surgeon who will explain your options, the risks, benefits and techniques used during surgery.

A Life Changing Procedure

Living with ears that stick out is a hardship for individuals like “J” who wrote Dr. Bermant. “On more then one occasion I have been called a monkey by a 6 year old. I get this random feeling that I’ll always struggle to be taken seriously,” he said.

Dr. Bermant answered the email with information about the procedure and how, for some, it can be positively life changing.

(Article by: Donna Corrado)

Interested in learning more about otoplasty? Click here to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.


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