Otoplasty can improve the shape and positioning of your ears. It also can reduce the size of your ears if they are large in proportion to your other features. If your ears protrude more than normal, surgery can reposition them closer to your head.

Ear surgery often is recommended for children as they near total ear development at age six or seven. Correction of the ears prior to the child entering school helps eliminate potential psychological trauma from the teasing of classmates. Adults may also have their ears reshaped. As long as you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for this surgery., your surgeon will recommend general anesthesia for youngers of 13 , so the child will sleep through the operation. For older than 13 or adults, the surgeon will prefer to use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed.

The supporting tissue of the ears, called cartilage, is reshaped in order to position your ears closer to your head. This usually is accomplished through incisions placed behind the ears. Subsequent scars will be concealed in the natural skin crease.

After surgery, you may be instructed to wear gauze dressing or bandage for about 48 hours to ensure that your ears heal in their new, corrected position., the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband You will need to avoid strenuous exercise and contact sports for several weeks. You can resume most non-strenuous activities within a week.

The results: Protruding and drooping ears or torn earlobes can be surgically corrected. Exceptionally large ears or those that stick out make children vulnerable to teasing. These procedures do not alter the patient's hearing, but they may improve appearance and self-confidence.