Sometimes, excess ear cartilage develops, resulting in ears that stick out too far. Occasionally, the ears just grow to be too large. Because each ear develops independently, one ear often protrudes more than the other, yielding a lopsided look. Not all ear problems are evident at birth. As we age, the outer ear undergoes natural changes.
Collagen fibers relax, causing telltale creases and elongated earlobes.
A traumatic injury or complications from ear piercing also can damage the ears. Surgery to pin back protruding ears may be done as early as age five. Small children may have a higher risk of complications in some cases, and parents may choose to defer surgery until the child is older. Although adult ear cartilage is somewhat less flexible than that of a child, excellent results may be achieved at any age. Otoplasty typically is done with local anesthesia and mild intravenous sedation, generally in an outpatient facility or your surgeon's office.