Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually performed to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. For the most part, this surgery is performed on children between the ages of four to 14. Ears are generally fully grown by age four and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing the child will go through. Ear surgery may also be performed on adults and does not carry additional risks on older patients.
Ear surgery can also address the following issues:
- Lop ear-tip seems to fold down and forward
- Cupped ear - usually a very small ear
- Shell ear-curve in the outer rim, as well as natural folds, are missing
- Large or stretched earlobes
- Lobes with large creases or wrinkles