Prominent Ears

What are prominent ears?

If your earlobes extend beyond 2 centimetres — which is about 3/4 of an inch — they are deemed to protrude.

Why do ears stick out?

Most ear abnormalities are inherited (existing at birth).

The main reasons for ears that protrude include:

  • An underdeveloped antihelical fold. The outside of your ear is shaped like the letter C. Inside the C, you can see what looks like the letter Y. The bottom part of the Y is the antihelix.
  • Too much cartilage in the concha. The concha is the bowl-shaped part of the ear that pushes your ear away from your head.
  • A combination. Both concha excess and loss of the antihelical fold contribute to the appearance of the ears.

Treating prominent ears

When significant ear deformities are identified in a new-born before they reach three months, ear moulds can be affixed to the infant’s ears. By applying these moulds at an early stage, they can effectively alter the shape of the infant’s ears without the need for surgical intervention. This procedure typically spans six to eight weeks and necessitates three to four appointments.

For individuals of all ages who desire smaller, less protruding ears, the only solution available is surgical intervention. This procedure is known as otoplasty, also referred to as ear pinning.

Typically, medical professionals prefer to postpone otoplasty until a child reaches at least five years old. This is because the ear cartilage is more malleable and fragile at this stage.

It’s common for otoplasty to be scheduled for a period before the child reaches seven years old. This is often because the age range from six to seven is when there’s a noticeable increase in teasing related to physical appearance.

After the surgery, a large bandage is applied to assist in the healing process, as well as to provide protection and comfort. This bandage is typically removed within a week, and the recovery period, including swelling, usually spans from one to two weeks.

The condition can affect one or both ears

surgical correction is possible