There is a natural crease at the junction of the ears and head which keeps the ears positioned fairly close to the head. For some individuals, this fold or crease is missing or is too loose, leaving the ears to stick out. Of themselves, “flyaway ears” post no danger, but the ridicule they may elicit from other children can lead to psychological scars. The adult with protruding ears may feel increasing degrees of self-consciousness and embarrassment.

Ears reach their adult size and position at around the age of six. This would be an ideal time to correct protruding ears. The surgery, however, can be performed at any age after.

In otoplasty, the cartilage of the ears is reshaped, repositioned, and some is occasionally removed. Ears are then “pinned back” close to the head into a more pleasing position. Perfect symmetry is not possible, any more than it is in normal ears. Dramatic, permanent improvement–physical as well as emotional–is the usual outcome of otoplasty.