Neonatal ear moulding
Using splints to correct protruding ears can only be carried out in infants who are six months of age or younger. After the age of six months, the cartilage in an infant’s ears will become too hard to be remodelled by splints.
Otoplasty
An otoplasty can be carried out once the ears have reached their full size. For most people, this will be by the age of five.
However, most plastic surgeons recommend that otoplasties are only carried out once a child is old enough to understand exactly what the operation entails, and the child is capable of giving their informed consent to treatment.
The ability to give informed consent will vary from child to child. Most otoplasties are carried out in children who are aged between five and 15. After the age of 15, the cartilage may become too hard to be remodelled during surgery.
Continue to next section: How ear reshaping is performed