Ear Shapes

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Sticking Out Ears

This is the most common reason for Otoplasty. Cartilage behind the ear forces them to stick out and makes them look bigger.  This can be noticeable from a young age, with a lot of children having ear correction before they are fourteen years old.  Rectifying this is not difficult.  The surgeon will either re-sculpt or remove some of the cartilage from the back of the ear and use stitches to close the wound.  After a few weeks of wearing a head band your ears will no longer stick out and will be like this for the rest of your life.

Lop Ears

There is a genetic problem that can cause ears to not form properly.  This will mean that the ears either appear wonky or to droop.  This, again, can be corrected with surgery, although it is more extensive than merely pinning back sticking out ears.  The upper ear cartilage needs to be manipulated so that scar tissue can hold up the ear, so not allowing them sag.  Although this is more extensive the surgery is usually very successful.

Cup Ears

The roll around the top of the ear is larger than normal and constricted.  It looks like the ear is almost closed.  This can occur in all sorts of degrees, and depending on how severe the deformity, skin grafts might be needed in order to rectify this problem.  Again, it is an inherited problem, and is most likely to be sorted out at a young age.  This condition is also sometimes referred to as ‘shell ear’.

Spock Ears

Another hereditary problem that can cause ears to form differently is called ‘Stahl’s ear’ and can make the ear form with a flattened look and slightly pointed at the top.  This can make the ears look like the star trek character spock. 

Everybody has unique ears and most ear problems or deformities can be fixed by your surgeon.  You do, however, need to discuss your expectations for the surgery with them to ensure that what you are hoping for is realistic.  It might be that really radical differences cannot be achieved, and if you aren’t going to be happy with the result then the surgery is pointless in the first place. 

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