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Will an Otoplasty Improve my Hearing?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 2,526 times
Tags: hearing

I know that an otoplasty will make the ears look better, but does this also help improve hearing?

36 answers to Will an Otoplasty Improve my Hearing?

+5

Otoplasty and Hearing

No, otoplasty is an aesthetic procedure intended to correct protruding ears. It is not intended to correct hearing.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drkrisreddy.com

+3

What did you say? Otoplasty to improve hearing?

No, otoplasty does not help improve hearing. In some severe cases, the cartilage of the external ear may impinge upon the ear canal, but I have never seen or heard of a complete blockage that otoplasty corrected.
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Will an Otoplasty Improve my Hearing?

This is a good question. Otoplasty is a purely aesthetic procedure used mostly to fix protruding pinna and ear lobes, which are both part of the external ear. Hearing, however, is mostly concerned with the inner ear: ear drum, malleus, cochlea, auditory nerve, etc, and is a highly specialized system that works together to allow you to hear things. It is very unlikely that any part of otoplasty, which focuses mostly on the cartilage of the outer ear, would improve your hearing in any way.... more
Kenneth Bermudez, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

Otoplasties don't improve hearing

An otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of your ears. Typically it is done for ears that protrude too far from the head. This would have no bearing on hearing.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

An otoplasty won't improve hearing. But let's make sure...

An otoplasty won't improve hearing. But let's make sure we're talking about the right operation: Otoplasty is an operation to improve the appearance of prominent ears. Auricular reconstruction is an operation for correcting microtia, a condition where the ear is congenitally absent or underdeveloped. This operation is a multi-stage procedure and often also improves hearing (mainly by surgery directed to the ear canal and middle ear, but also a little bit from creation of a pinna--the part... more
David C. Pearson, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

A true otoplasty will not effect your hearing. Otoplasty...

A true otoplasty will not effect your hearing. Otoplasty refers to the cosmetic changing of the external ear that you can see. If you should have a blockage of the ear canal then a surgery can be performed to open the ear canal which could improve your hearing - but this operation is not an otoplasty.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Never

Otoplasties aim is to improve ear aesthetics and shape. It will never improve patients hearing,
Enrique Etxeberria, MD

Spain Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty and hearing

An otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of your ears. It has no effect on your hearing.
Laurence Weider, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hearing IS affected by otoplasty! Bur hearing deficits are not improved.

Interestingly, most of the answere here by my colleagues are generally correct in that otoplasty (which corrects the appearance of the external sound-catching cartilage and skin structure on our skulls) does not change the actual hearing apparatus (tympanic membrane, internal ear bones, and semicircular canals inside our skulls) that allows us to turn vibrations in the air into nerve signals that our brains percieve as sound. BUT, let's do a quick experiment. Cup your hands... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty Improves Appearance of Ear But Not Hearing

Surgey to change the shape of the external ear or Otoplasty has no effect on the hearing. Typicaly some of the external folds of the ear are reshaped or the base of the ear is brought closer to the head by removing some of the overly prominent cartilage. This has no significant effect on the hearing mechanism of the middle or inner ear.  
Thomas Buonassisi, MD

Vancouver Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty and hearing

An otoplasty is performed to improve the shape and appearance of the ear. It will have no effect on hearing.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty and hearing

Otoplasty should not improve or hard your hearing. But, it will offer significant confidence and self-esteem to all patients seeking this treatment. I am a strong advocate of otoplasty.
Jon E. Mendelsohn, MD

Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty outcome

Otoplasty is unlikely to help or hinder your hearing.  It is generally considered an entirely cosmetic procedure.  The most likely complication of this procedure is recurrence of ear prominence. 
Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty will not improve hearing

The external ear changes that occur after otoplasty do not affect hearing. It shouldn't worsen it either, though. 
Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty and Hearing

Otoplasty will have no effect on hearing.  Hearing loss in conjunction with prominent ears is the result of involvement of the middle or inner ear and is addressed completely separately from otoplasty surgery.
Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty and hearing

Typically, ear pinning or otoplasty surgery does not improve the hearing unless there is a complete cup ear where the ear topples over the ear canal. 
Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty will not improve hearing

An otoplasty can make a cosmetic improvement of  the appearance of your ears, but will not improve your hearing.     
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Make sure your surgeon is Board Certified by The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The American Board

Otoplasty should not change your hearing.  If you are concerned about your hearing, you may consider obtaining an audiogram (hearing test) prior to surgery.  Make sure your surgeon is Board Certified by The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery or The American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Gregory Pippin, MD

New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty and hearing

Otoplasty will not change hearing in either a positive or negative manner.  The mechanism for hearing takes place in the middle and inner ear.  
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hearing not changed by Otoplasty

Your hearing will not be changed to any appreciable extent by an otoplasty.  There may be some very slight change in directional hearing.  This would be very subtle and nearly impossible to measure.  Your hearing test done by the standard head-phone technique would be unchanged.
Louis W. Apostolakis, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty Surgery for Large or Protruding Ears do NOT improve hearing

Otoplasty surgery is a good option to improve the appearance of large or protruding ears. Typically, this ear cosmetic surgery is performed once a child's ear size is mature, around age 6 or later. Otoplasty reshapes and pulls the ear back closer to the head. Unfortunately, this ear surgery does NOT improve hearing. Speak with a plastic surgeon to perform a comprehensive evaluation and to help determine appropriate options for you.
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty does not improve hearing.

An otoplasty is simply performed to correct the way the ears look. A person's ability to hear is not affected either positively or negatively from an otoplasty.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty changes the appearance of the ear

Otoplasty is a procedure to change the shape of the ear. It uses a combination of suture techniques and incisions. It does not affect the organs of hearing and has no effect on auditory acuity.
Robert Mounsey, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty Does Not Change Hearing

Since elephants have large ears, and can hear soft sounds at great distances, it makes sense that otoplasty might change hearing since the ears change in orientation.  This has been proven NOT to occur.  Otoplasty does not make hearing better or worse.  There is no change.
Minas Constantinides, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do otoplasties improve hearing?

Otoplasties do not affect a person's hearing. Otoplasties our surgeries that only address the external shape and position of the ear. They do not affect the middle ear or the inner ear and therefore will not affect your hearing.  
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Better hearing through otoplasty

Otoplasty does not affect hearing. There are instances where the ear canal is tight and narrow and a different form of ear surgery (meatoplasty) can be used to open up the ear canal and improve hearing.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty and Hearing

It is unlikely that otoplasty will affect your hearing - positive or negative. In some cases of otoplasty the cartilage framework of the ear is repositioned in such a manner that it might close off the opening to the external ear canal. If this goes unnoticed by your surgeon, there is a risk that your hearing may be impeded by narrowing of the external ear canal. Most experienced plastic surgeons performing otoplasty will be aware of this possibility and make the appropriate adjustments... more
John M. Hilinski, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cosmetic Ear Surgery and Hearing

Otoplasty / cosmetic ear surgery is only performed to improve the shape and appearance of the ear itself. In fact, some techniques of otoplasty may run the risk of slightly closing the ear canal, which could theoretically constrict the hearing. Although this is extremely rare, for this reason, I do not perform that specific technique and use a unique otoplasty technique that eliminates the even small risk of that.
Jacob D. Steiger, MD

Boca Raton Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

No hearing improvement with otoplasty

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this is an operation that is purely cosmetic. The only result you will get from an otoplasty is improvement in the folds of the ear so they don't stick out or as you call them dumbo ears. There is also no deterioration in hearing either as a result of the surgery.
Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty (Ear pinning) will NOT improve Hearing

If you have hearing difficulties, you need to be examined by an Otologist to see where the issue may be. Improving the appearance of the outer ear will NOT improve hearing. Dr. P. Aldea
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty will not improve hearing.

An otoplasty is a totally aesthetic procedure that has no effect of function. It can be very simple or more complicated depending on what the anatomy of the ear is. It is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia in children. In adults, it can be done under local although a bit of sedation helps.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty and hearing

Otoplasty works essential on the otuter portion of the ear whereas the middle and internal portions of teh ear effect hearing. So, in general, ear  surgery may result does not effect heaing acuty.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty will not improve hearing

Otoplasty corrects the external ear's position and will not improve your hearing. Certain conductive hearing losses (ie otosclerosis, tympanic membrane perforation, exostoses, etc) can be treated with otologic surgical procedures but otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery and won't address hearing defects.
Corey S. Maas, MD

San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Does ear surgery (otoplasty) help hearing?

Usually no...performing surgery to improve ear aesthetics will most likely not help hearing.  However, if significant reconstruction is done on the uppermost portion of the ear then sounds may travel to the eardrum better.
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty should not impact your hearing to a great degree

The shape of the ears is supposed to enhance your hearing. You may notice some very minimal improvement but the research on this is minimal. There are times when you setback the ear that can cause the cartilage to impinge the ear canal and this can actually worsen your hearing to a degree. Otoplasty that can help your hearing is when it is done in conjunction with more complicated surgeries for a condition called microtia. This is when the ear is rudimentary in form. What can come with... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Improving Projecting Ears

Otoplasty is performed for a normal developmental variant known as prominent ears. President Obama has them and there is no association with hearing problems. If you do have hearing problems, this may be due to other causes and should be addressed separately. Prominent ears are best corrected by a board certified plastic surgeon who is familiar with minimal scar otoplasty. I regularly perform these procedures in an outpatient setting.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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