Do I have protruding ears?

Many patients come to me unsure whether their ears are truly prominent. Family and friends often say, “Your ears look fine,” but after surgery, they always agree that the results are worth it.

During your consultation, I won’t tell you whether or not you have protruding ears. Instead, I’ll ask:

• What don’t you like about your ears?
• What changes are you hoping to achieve with surgery?

If your expectations can be met with surgery, we’ll move forward. If not, I’ll be honest with you. My goal is to help you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Common Ear Deformities

Below, we’ll explore the most common ear deformities that can cause ears to appear prominent or attract unwanted attention.

• Cause: The fold in the upper part of the ear is not fully developed, causing the ear to stick out.

• Solution: The fold is created using suture techniques, moving the ear closer to the head

• Cause: An incomplete fold in the lower part of the ear creates a wide angle between the ear and the head.

• Solution: The fold is released and reshaped with stitches to create a more natural angle.

• Cause: A lack of fold in the middle part of the ear causes prominence.

• Solution: Stitching techniques are used to create a fold, ensuring a natural appearance..

• Cause: An inverted fold in the antihelix region can make the ear protrude.

• Solution: The fold is corrected with stitches, often eliminating the need for additional procedures.

• Cause: Excess cartilage in the middle part of the ear creates a deep concha, leading to prominence.

• Solution: Cartilage is removed, and the ear may rarely be secured to the head with stitches.

• Cause: The helical fold is missing, making the ear appear larger than normal.

• Solution: An incision is made to create a fold, improving the ear’s shape.

Prominent Earlobe

• Cause: Abnormal cartilage or skin can push the earlobe forward.

• Solution: Tissue is removed to reduce prominence and improve balance.

• Cause: The earlobe is disproportionately large compared to the rest of the ear.

• Solution: Skin and tissue are removed to create a more balanced appearance.

Darwin’s Tubercle

• Cause: A prominent tubercle can make the ear appear larger than it is.

• Solution: The tubercle is reduced through an incision on the front of the ear.

Big Ear (Macrotia)

• Cause: The entire ear is larger than normal, often due to genetics.

• Solution: The ear is reduced in size using carefully placed incisions.

• Cause: The shape of the skull will also determine the prominence of the ear.  

• Solution: This cannot be changed directly but only managed by changing the amount of pushing the ear to the head. 

• Cause: A congenital third leg in the antihelix causes prominence.

• Solution: The additional leg is straightened using stitching and cartilage removal techniques..

Cup Ear (Constricted Ear)

• Cause: The upper third of the ear is underdeveloped, creating a “cup” shape.

• Solution: Surgery aims to make the ear less noticeable, though a completely normal appearance may not be possible.

Ready to Transform Your Ears?

If you’re struggling with prominent ears or another ear deformity, I’m here to help. Together, we can create a personalized treatment plan to achieve the results you’ve always wanted.