Ear Deformities in Children

Around 30% of children will be born with an ear deformity. These congenital conditions are often caused by how the baby was positioned during pregnancy, or pressure applied during birth. If you’re concerned about your child’s ear shape, talking to a specialist about it early gives them the most treatment options and the best chance for success.

Most ear deformities do not go away with time. But as the cartilage becomes firmer, they do become more difficult to treat. Some ear deformities can be treated early in life without the need for surgery, while others may require surgery later in life to fully correct.

Types of Ear Deformities

Most ear deformities fall into one of these categories. Sometimes more than one deformity is present

• Lidding: Upper part of ear folds over
• Prominent or Protruding ears: Stick out too far from the head
• Stahl’s ear: A pointed shape to the top of the ear
• Helical rim deformities: uneven ear edges along the outer curve
• Cryptotia: Upper ear buried under skin
• Cup ear: Outer ear is shaped like the letter C, folded down and forward
• Conchal crus: Extra cartilage fold near the ear canal
• Microtia: Outer ear is underdeveloped

Treatment Options

Ear Molding

This is a non-surgical option that is only available for the first 3-4 weeks of your child’s life. If you’re considering ear deformity correction and your child is in this age bracket, please make an appointment as soon as possible so we can talk about this option together. This treatment only works if all portions of the ear cartilage are present, but not folded correctly. Ear molding can’t be used to treat microtia where part of the ear cartilage is missing or mis-formed.

Button: Find out more (link to ear molding)

Otoplasty or ear pinning

This surgical approach is usually performed when your child is between the ages of 5-7, but unlike ear molding which has a very narrow window, people of all ages get otoplasty done. Even adults who are unhappy with their ear shape. But due to cartilage development, children in this window have the best results and the easiest recovery. Otoplasty typically fixes prominent ears that stick out too far from the head.

Button: Find out more (link to otoplasty)

Advanced Surgical Corrections

For severe malformations, like microtia, your child’s treatment will depend on whether or not they also have aural atresia (lack of an ear canal). Many times, children with this condition also have hearing impacts. If that’s the case, we have one of the few otolaryngologists (ENT doctor) who can perform surgical reconstruction of the ear canal. We can coordinate the surgical correction of the microtia before surgery to repair the ear canal for the best results.

Button: Find out more