Ears are incredibly unique. They can appear to stick out for a variety of reasons, from malalignment with the head to particularly large conchal bowls (the part of the ear leading to the opening). Small or weak folds may also cause prominent ears. Whatever the case, Dr. Parkins can help with ear surgery.

If you’re concerned about your child, the sooner you can come in for an otoplasty consultation, the better. Research has shown that infants can achieve excellent results with the help of specialized medical devices, eliminating the need for ear surgery. Success is highest in the first two months of life because of the high levels of maternal estrogen in their systems.

However, in many cases, individuals don’t feel the need to change their ears until later in life. The majority of otoplasty surgeries are performed on children between 5 and 14 years old, after they have experienced bullying or a sense of embarrassment surrounding their ears. We recommend surgery ideally before your child enters school, as this minimizes the teasing they may experience.

During your ear surgery consultation, Dr. Parkins will be able to help you determine the right age for an otoplasty and can fully explain the procedure to you or your child.

The best way to determine if you or your child is a good candidate for otoplasty is to schedule an in-person consultation, during which Dr. Parkins will help create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

In general, candidates meet these criteria:

• One or both ears are prominent due to excess ear tissue, overly large conchal bowl, weakly defined antihelical fold, or protruding lobes.
• Be in good overall health, without major uncorrected respiratory, cardiovascular, kidney, or other serious conditions. Dr. Parkins will need the patient to be medically cleared by a primary care physician. If you have a prior history of hearing loss, we may require a consultation with an ENT or audiologist. Understanding your BMI before your consultation will help determine your eligibility for surgery.
• You should be a nonsmoker or open to quitting all forms of nicotine and tobacco consumption at least three weeks pre-op and for the entirety of the recovery period.
• Have a support network of family, friends, and caregivers to help keep you on schedule, safely and comfortably complete pre- and post-op tasks, and provide emotional support throughout the process.
• Reasonable expectations of otoplasty results.

In most cases, otoplasty leaves a small, faint scar naturally hidden behind the ear. It is generally very challenging to spot, and most people’s scars heal without any trouble. Dr. Parkins will continue to work with you after your ear surgery to check in on your recovery and address any questions you may have.

Adults can usually return to work or school within a few days. Children can return to school in less than a week after ear surgery, given they are careful during physical activity. Any activity that could result in direct contact with the ear should be avoided for one month.