Protruding ears are a deformity arising from a congenital malformation of the ear cartilage or asymmetric development of certain parts of the cartilage. The condition can cause severe mental anguish, especially in a child's early years. Children with protruding ears often suffer feelings of acute embarrassment or inferiority. Corrective surgery will reshape the ear cartilage and "set the ears back" closer to the head.
For psychological reasons, we recommend the operation be performed at pre-school age so children do not suffer any teasing or ridicule once they start school. However, some people affected by the problem do not seek corrective surgery until adulthood.