Around 1-2% of people in the UK think their ears stick out too much. While having protruding ears does not usually affect a person’s hearing, it can cause psychological distress, particularly for children.
Otoplasty
The surgical technique to correct protruding ears is usually known as an otoplasty, or sometimes as a pinnaplasty.
It involves remodelling the cartilage in the ears. Cartilage is a thick, spongy tissue in the outside of the ears, the nose and many of the body’s joints. Once the cartilage has been remodelled into a more attractive shape, the ears are pinned further back with stitches.
Neo-natal ear moulding
Neo-natal ear moulding is an alternative to otoplasty that can be done on babies aged six months or younger. At this age, the cartilage is still quite soft, making it possible to remodel the shape of the ear using splints.
A splint is a support that helps keep part of the body stable and motionless, so it no longer grows in an outward direction. In neo-natal ear moulding small splints are placed onto the ear cartilage.
Splinting is thought to be a safe and effective treatment. However it is important to obtain advice from a doctor, nurse or other health professional with experience in using splints as most parents will require some initial training in how to correctly apply the splints.
In infants who are older than six months, the cartilage in the ears is too hard to be remodelled in this way.
Availability on the NHS
As an otoplasty is usually done for cosmetic reasons, it is unlikely that your local primary care trust (PCT) will agree to the operation being done free on the NHS. However, an exception may be made if protruding ears is causing someone significant psychological distress.
Fees for an otoplasty can vary from surgeon to surgeon, but the average price for private surgery in England is in the region of £2,000.
In some PCTs, ear splints may be available through the NHS. Alternatively, cosmetic and plastic surgery clinics may be able to supply splints, or you can buy them from private companies on the internet. Packs of splints cost about £50.
