Numb ears after mini facelift?

Thanks for sharing.  There will normally be decreased feeling from where the skin was lifted.  Although unlikely with a mini lift, a sensory nerve can be damaged (stretched, burned, or cut) resulting in more prolonged or permanent numbness.  At 5 months post op the nerves are still "growing" back into the skin so there is still time for the feeling to return.  I would say after 1 year post op the healing is all done. I wish the best for you.

To perform a mini facelift (or standard facelift), the skin around the ear is elevated off the underlying tissue.  During this process the nerves that give that skin sensation are divided.  During the healing process, these nerves reattach to the skin and your sensation will slowly return over about 2-3 months or so.

The ear itself may or may not be numb after the surgery.  Some of the swelling from the healing process in this area and effect your sensation and give the ear some temporary numbness.  This should also recover over a few months.

Signs of your numbness going away and sensation returning can include itchiness or small "twinges" of pain.  This is a good indication that the nerves are reattaching to the skin.

As mentioned by other doctors, absolute numbness that has lasted 5 months may indicate the the greater auricular nerve (which is the main nerve that supplies sensation to your ear) was either injured or cut during the procedure.  This is a well-known, but rare, risk of the surgery.  

I recommend bringing this up with your surgeon and have him/her take a look.  There may be some options to possibly improve your sensation in this area.  Unfortunately there may be a possibility that the numbness may be permanent.

Best of luck.