Ears that stick out

In about two-thirds of cases, sticking-out ears are evident at birth, so can be dealt with straight away. The gristle (cartilage) of a newborn baby is soft, so the ears can be corrected by placing a special small splint of cushioned wire in the hollow of the rim of the ear and taping it back for several weeks (British Medical Journal 2007;334:366–8). This can be done only if the baby is younger than 6 months, and the earlier the better. Parents can buy a kit containing splints with instructions (see Useful contacts).

An operation (otoplasty) to correct sticking-out ears is often done when the child is over 5 or 6 years old. However, there is no reason why it cannot be done at any age. The operation does not affect hearing.

 

Children need a general anaesthetic, but adults can have the operation with just a local anaesthetic. There are several different techniques. In the most common operation, the surgeon cuts away skin and tissue from behind each ear, and stitches it into its new position. The ears are bandaged for about 10 days after the operation, and after that the stitches are removed. You will have to wear a headband at night for the next 2 weeks so that you do not accidentally bend the ears forward during sleep.

 

As with any plastic surgery operation, it is important to find a plastic surgeon who is skilled at this particular operation. If it is clumsily done, you may end up with a plastered-down look, or with ears that do not look the same. Look at the section on cosmetic surgery [LINK] for general advice.
 

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Monday, March 15th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by post surgery on 31/01/2012 at 04:32

I had my ears pinned back a few months ago by Dr Merck who uses a much better, less invasive technique. I'd recommend anyone who is set on having surgery to go to him. If you want to see any before and after photos or have any questions just ask.

Posted by hannah on 16/01/2012 at 06:43

im 13 and in year8,i have had ears that stick out for all my life and i can say i HATE THEM! for all those people that think there cute its not when you get called big ears and things like that ... my big ears are outting me down, i hate having my hair down al the time and it up but its almost impossible with my ears. i dont want surgery is there any way that i cold stop them from sticking out? maybe tapping them back when i sleep, or wearing a head band to sleep? please let me know i need help here!!

Posted by Anonymous on 21/12/2011 at 07:28

i have ears that stick out usually i cover them with my long hair but most of the time my parents dont let me grow it and im very self counscious, people have teased me and i know people talk about it. today i told my mom that otoplasty might be free in nhs but she got angry and said no. what can i do i really hate my ears.

Posted by Optional on 14/12/2011 at 08:46

i inherited my grandfather's ears and i was ver unhappy as a child. When i was 12 i called our insurance and asked if they cover an operation. they did back then until the age of 14 (germany). you cant imagine how happy i was. i told my mother about it, i took an appointment with my doctor and with the hospital. she just accepted my decision. Why would a mother be against it!!! i was not asking for breast implants! i was in terrible pain for days after the operation but i would do it again. it was the best thing i ve done for myself. when i got rid of the bandages i got my long hair cut short :) i was happy happy happy... i m pregnant now and i hope he/she wont have these ears and if yes i ll be supportive whatever he/she decides to do.

Posted by Optional on 19/11/2011 at 11:33

for ears that stick out in infants, an old remedy in my family is, put a simple band-aid on the ears .. in other words tape your childs ears to their head. no pain, no harm nothing but an easy and simple fix.. not sure if it would work with older children, but worth a try. maybe just wear the band aids at night only..

Posted by Optional on 08/11/2011 at 08:50

Same prob as u guys here, 12 and I want my ears fixed. They are supposedly missing a peice of cartilage and bend forward, not easily hid with hair! I want to know how much this would cost and how to tell my parents! Help!

Posted by handsome face on 08/11/2011 at 02:35

just were a hat to sleep and were it for about a month your ears will start to get used to it and you'll become a handsome face like me

Posted by ... on 19/10/2011 at 07:06

I am teased at school and really want to get my sticking out ears corrected. I don't know how to tell my parents and is there a risk of death?

Posted by Optional on 06/10/2011 at 06:24

earwells.com It corrects any infant ear deformity quickly, non surgically and painlessly.

Posted by Anonymous on 03/10/2011 at 07:49

One of my ears stick it at it is embarrassing, with my hair down it isn't too bad, but when I tie it up then I am embarrassed :( Don't know how to tell parents :S

Posted by brit on 19/09/2011 at 10:38

I'm 13 and I'm ears stick out and I don't like people making fun of me I feel like I need to sleep on it to lay it down but it hasn't worked out

Posted by Musik <3 on 19/06/2011 at 05:14

I wish my ears stuck out more. They're small it's like embarrassing. I can't even have gauges cause they'd look weird in contrast with my small ears. Besides, big ears are cute.

Posted by Optional on 12/06/2011 at 12:05

I've always been very aware that my ears stuck out, I was teased at school and even by my own brother and his freinds. So as you can imagine my confidence as a child was pruty low. As I got older I would shy away from people and would not mix you could say to this present day I a bit of a loner, I am happily married with three great kids, but the problem is still with me yo this day, Hate the way I look and can see in peoples faces what they are thinking and by there actions, you could say I become a expert at people jesters in stroking there own ears as they talk to me. I feel that it has made be bitter and unhappy, but again I've become an expert in hiding my feelings.......

Posted by Optional on 22/05/2011 at 02:39

When I was about 11 I was considering having an otoplasty because my ears stick out, but I bottled it at the last minute because the doctors were rattling on about all the things that could go wrong, and I was young and it freaked me. If I could go back I would do it now, but because it was with the NHS if I had it now I'd have to pay like £3000 =/ Does anyone know if those Ear Buddies or anything actually work? I know they're supposed to be for babies but I'd really like to get them fixed, and I don't have that much money...

Posted by Optional on 13/04/2011 at 02:17

Im a pregnant lady with big ears will my unborn child have big ears too??

Posted by Optional on 21/03/2011 at 04:45

I'm 14 and I asked my mum if I could get my ears pinned back and she said fine and we got it for free on BRITISH HEALTH CARE. But, apparently one was fine so I only got one ear done. If you live in the UK and your ears stick out more than 2cm you can get it free on the NHS. I had to waitsix months but saved thousands.

Posted by Ajax on 08/03/2011 at 02:42

my ears also stick out but i am a blonde so my ears are covered up the whole time and noone notices my ears,when i was little all these people use to say i have big ears and i was like "I KNOW!!! gosh just leave me alone!" and after a while i grew long hair and cover up my ears and everything was good.until now i just got my haircut i loook like a total big ears guy.i want to ask my parents about the surgery but im am scared that they will say my ears are fine,you look cute.that always got my spirits up until i was like 11 when i got my haircut,then my ears showed.but does anyone know how much a regular surgery on the ear to make it smaller costs?

Posted by jake on 28/02/2011 at 06:44

im fourteen years old and i a have small ears, but they stick out? I Would have surgery but im scared to tell my parent. Does anybody know any ideas that REALLY WORK To get your ears pinned back at home??? :(

Posted by Optional on 12/02/2011 at 01:30

Another bad problem that can cause ears to form differently is called ‘Spock ear’ Yeah, like our old friend from Star Trek, and can make the ears form with a spreaded fat look and slightly pointed at the top. This can make the ears look like the type y at a joke shop! Everybody has unique ears and most ear problems or deformities can be fixed by your surgeon. One way to help sticky out ears is this firm at www.big-ears.homestead.com however not all reports are good with type of approach and you do, however, need to discuss your expectations for and treatment or 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. Jessica soames

Posted by Optional on 29/01/2011 at 06:30

I married a guy with not only sticking out ears but one is also kinda bent. Once we stared dating at first i was a bit freaked out but after i got to know him i didn't care about his ears. We been married for 6 years now. Love him to death. :)

Posted by Laura on 21/01/2011 at 07:26

My entire life I have been self-conscious about my ears. Not only do they stick out but my hair is fine and straight, so hiding them was always a challenge! My ears were a constant source of misery for me-not only were hair-styles limited for me(that's a big deal for a girl!) because of them, but they also gave kids a reason to tease me. When I was around 20 I decided it was time to make a change. I was a waitress at the time, and obligated to wear my hair up(health-code). As uncomfortable as that made me I didn't want to quit-the money was more than I could've made anywhere else. I was referred to an awesome stylist and explained that I needed a 'do that would camoflage my ears. I had my qualms, but I trusted her to transform me! She stacked it SUPER short in the back and angled it down in the front, about down to my chin. It was perfect! All I have to do is style it w/a thick round-brush to give it volume and it totally hides my ears! That was the day I decided that I could live with my ears the was they are.. Unfortunately, one of my super-adorable sons inherited my ears and just the other day he started telling me that he doesn't like them "because they are too big". :( It absolutely broke my heart to hear this. He is 4 years old, and if anybody has any suggestions or stories about what worked for you I'd love to hear them.. Thanks!

Posted by Jamie on 17/01/2011 at 06:20

ok, well i'm 13 and i don't ever wear my hair up because of my ears, also if i don't shower every day my hair is flat and my ears stick out of my hair . . . this bothers my I would like the surgery but i'm not allowed =( so i was wondering if i put duck tape behind my ears for as long as I need to would it work or at least help them not stick out as bad ?

Posted by Optional on 16/11/2010 at 03:31

I had an otoplasty 15 years ago when I was 11 and my sister 6 years old. We had it done the traditional method where they cut the skin behind your ear to make it smaller, this method always leaves scars. One of my ears was ok but the othe one looked terrible. So when i was 17 I had it done again. It looks ok but not great. Now I have 2 children I was always dreading that their ears will stick out. Few days after my son was born I noticed that this happened. I tried to stick his ears with the tape but people was only laughing at me and alsi it didn't help. I satrted my research when and where to do otoplasty for him. I found Dr Merck in Germany who is doing a stich method. It doesn't involve cutting the skin at the back, it doesn't leave any scars. My son had his ears done on 12/11/10 by Dr Merck and now is 16/11/10 his ears look AMAZING. He went to school today there are no scars, no bruzing. If you are thinking to do otoplasty check Dr Merck stich metod!

Posted by Me on 25/10/2010 at 12:55

I'm 13, and my ears have stuck out my whole life (I got it from my grandad's side of the family). I don't particularly want to ask my mum to get surgery (I'm the sort of person who gets embarassed with things like that). Is there a way to permanently stop them sticking out without surgery?

Posted by anon on 15/09/2010 at 08:19

this message is for rob. did you mean memory foam pillow because you dont lay your head on a mattress. did it really work give us an update on your other ear. oh another thing, how long have you been sleeping on the foam. thanks

Posted by Curious101 on 28/08/2010 at 04:05

Is there anyway i can stop my ears from sticking out without having to have surgery ?

Posted by lozzie on 25/08/2010 at 03:09

My son is nealry 10years old and has ears that stick out he has been like this since he was little over the last few months kids have been picking on him and calling him names he has even came home crying i find this really heart breaking and would like some help and advice on how we go about getting help for him thanks

Posted by Optional on 10/08/2010 at 03:26

Im 15 and my ears stick out, for basically all my life i have been wearing a head band to try and stick them back (also because im self concious) I dont want surgery, but can wearing a head band stick them back? or is there anything else that may help them stick back? im sick of wearing a head band. please help!

Posted by Optional on 14/07/2010 at 01:02

I got an otoplasty, it was such a good improvement to my self-esteem

Posted by Optional on 06/06/2010 at 06:06

Mydaugher is 5 and a half months old with ears that stick out. Is it to late for ear splints. What is the best thing to do.

Posted by Rob on 13/05/2010 at 12:31

I was always told that I had ears like my Great Grandfather. When I finally saw a picture of him, and then compared my ears to his, I about died. Everytime I got a haircut as a kid I would just cry. I finally got comfortble having ears that stick out and let it go. However, totally by accident I noticed my righ ear is now in a normal position. It took me a while to figure out how this is possible, but finally it dawned on my. I purchased a memory foam mattress pad at one of the "clubs" a year ago. because of the effect of not rolling over, I sleep on one side the entire night. I do not move. I have since started sleeping on the other side of the bed and I am noticing a difference on the other ear in just 5 months. Crazy?? You say? I say..I totally worked for me. And appearently you don't have to be an infant with developing or growing cartiledge to see results. I would guess if your a deep sleeper you will have good results. Good luck to anyone that tries it!

Posted by Hello2 on 07/05/2010 at 11:38

I wish girls found ears sticking out cute and kind of sexy. It doesn't help my self confidence at times but plastic surgery doesn't seem the way to go.

Posted by Hello on 07/04/2010 at 09:22

Are you guys mad! I think that sticky out ears are really cute, and kind of sexy. And having a childs ears pinned back is wrong unless there is a serious medical reason for it. It is their body, let them choose when they are older. Also, I'm just curious to know if this surgery can be reversed if the person decides they don't like it?

Posted by help needed!! on 28/03/2010 at 08:04

if anyone can help me! im 17, 18 in just over a month and i would really love to have my ears pinned back as i hate my ears soooo much they stick out alot and im always moving my hair over them ive never had my hair up and were i work ill have to put my hair up when it gets long,its short at the moment and i would love to grow my hair long again but i dont want to put my hair up because of my ears.i just want to cut them off!!! and i always think people are looking at my ears when its windy outside and i was at work the other day and my ears were oking out n people kept looking at them and my friends even moved my hair back over them for me..i cant afford to have the op and it would help my self esteem sooo much if i was to have it dont.and i keep taking it out on my boyfriend because when he plays with my hair and he'll put it behind my ears i know he means well but it really bugs me..can i get it on the nhs??

Posted by James on 18/03/2010 at 02:59

I had my ears pinned back a few months before i was 16, therefore it was free, but they bugged me ever since i was able to be annoyed by things, I can honestly say it had changed my life, i am never conscious about my ears anymore, the pain sticks around for a while, but if anyone is considering it, i recommend doing so.

Posted by Optional on 15/03/2010 at 09:52

i have recently had my ears pinned back

Posted by Dans on 20/02/2010 at 03:13

its so embaressing have stick out ears..so i am one of them.. i want to make things but i cant cause of my ears..i am shy, and i hate my life.. i want to do the surgecy but i havent even talk about it to my parents.. 1 year more and then i will do it alone..

Posted by Optional on 16/02/2010 at 06:53

Can anyone tell me more about the splints or tape used for babies ears. I am not sure as it if maybe one of my babies ears possibly could end up sticking out, how can I tell? and would tape on it's own work?

Posted by E on 06/01/2010 at 10:13

Guys - sticky out ears are cool, I'm proud of mine and would never change them. Celebrate your uniqueness and individuality - consider them your 'special' feature - once you do, others will too!

Posted by Reply to ashamed on 05/01/2010 at 11:18

Ashamed (the person with names that begin with j g.) Listen (no pun intended) my ears used to look likekate hudsons only twice the size when I was in year 8 a group of year sevens beat me up and I had to walk around on all fours like "the elephant that I was) one boy even rode me and used my dumbo ears as grips then when I was 15 my life changed around, my mum took me to a hairdressers to have my usual short back and sides which only accentuates the lugs, the usual lady who came by mobile was I'll. My mum asked for the grade 3 back and sides and grade 4 on top and the hairdresser gasped She then said that I should have my ears pinned back and I did! I now look human

Posted by charming on 05/01/2010 at 07:29

damn well im 16 and my ear's stick out and people laff at me so i wear my hair down always ! :/

Posted by ashamed on 27/12/2009 at 09:29

i have sticking out ears and people call me dumbo and big ears from noddy. i am only 14...i also have a sligt lisp only with my G's and J's and them letters are at the start of both of my names...i am half way through high school and people can be so mean... :'(

Posted by shorty12 on 13/12/2009 at 07:21

the surgery is the best solution for this problem, i think.. n if my son ever feels unconterble about his ears sticking out a lil (cuz i didn do any better at his birth in keep them back) i would go for the surgery for him..

Posted by shorty12 on 13/12/2009 at 07:08

my son was born with his ears bended from top to bottom of ear n got me worried when i first seen it. I thode it was a malformation or something, but the Dr. said it was ok just as long as i keep his ears taped back it will help in keeping his ears in the right possition. I thode tapping the ears back was kindoff **** so i only did it for like a week, n besides the tape wouldn stay there, so i stoped. So than i would lay him down on his sides with his ears straigh open in right possition n that helped. Even tho now that his about to be 7yrs his ears stick out just a lil, but they look ok. I think if they would of told me about somekind of kit (like Ear Buddies-splints) i would of use it instead of using "tape" OMG..

Posted by Dumbo on 01/09/2009 at 12:23

My ears stick out but only abit. That would be my dream. however in reality they stick out 90 degrees and my hair is grade 4 haircut. So i look like dumbo. I have never had a girlfriend and once taped them back before asking someone out and they flicked out just after they said yes. Then she stared at them with disgust and everybody laughed at me. People pull my ears and shout comments at me if i walk past like "look at the size of his ears" "wingnut" "ginger big ears" "dumbo" "bugs bunny" the list is endless. how much is the operation because i need it i am a freak help. Also how much do you have to wear a headband? thx

Posted by Anonymous on 14/08/2009 at 06:20

I was born with one ear sticking out. Like cupping an ear to hear better, I hear very clearly, so well..I am musically talented. But this one ear has made me very shy all my life...I don't pin my hair back....I noticed in life, there are others exactly like me, with the one ear out and the other normal. There must be an explaination?

Posted by Anonymous on 29/07/2009 at 06:11

How much does the operation cost?

Posted by e i e i o on 26/06/2009 at 06:17

How much does this operation cost? And do you only have to wear the headband at night for the two weeks?

Posted by daniel on 28/05/2009 at 02:01

my ears stick out abit...but there nt that noticeable but my ears are big so the will be noticeable if i get my haircut very short? any suggestions?

Posted by Ellen on 30/03/2009 at 11:13

A good and non-invasive method is Dr. Merck Stitch Method. Website is http://www.merck-ecs.com

Posted by Anonymous on 07/01/2009 at 06:43

my ears stick out so much and there so big. is the anything i can do something to stop it that wont be to noticable?

Posted by Jaime on 31/12/2008 at 01:12

I actually have a question! Are ears that stick out a dominant gene?