How Much Does Ear Surgery Cost?

The average cost of cosmetic ear surgery (otoplasty) is $4,150, but the price can range as high as $11,001, according to hundreds of recent patient reviews on RealSelf.

That’s more than the average cost of $3,736 cited in the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), though they note that their data doesn't include fees for "anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses," which can significantly drive up the total price. 

This type of ear surgery focuses on the outer ear, pinning back prominent ears so they sit closer to the head or improving the ear’s appearance. 

Earlobe surgery, to repair stretched or damaged earlobes, is typically much cheaper than otoplasty.

Read on to find out whether real patients think otoplasty is worth the money, why prices for this surgical procedure can vary by thousands of dollars, and whether it’s covered by health insurance.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Ear Surgery

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What to look for in a price quote

During your initial consultation, ask your otoplasty surgeon for an all-in cost quote for that includes:

• the surgeon’s fee
• anesthesia fees 
• surgical facility fees
• the cost of any pre-op lab work
• all aftercare and follow-up visits
• any pain medication or antibiotics for recovery 

If your surgeon recommends wearing a compression headband during recovery, ask if you’ll need to purchase it yourself.

Also find out whether your consultation fee will be applied toward the cost of your procedure, a common practice.

Is cosmetic ear surgery worth the money?

Otoplasty has a 97% Worth It Rating on RealSelf, so a solid majority of reviewers say this cosmetic procedure is worth the investment. 

Several happy otoplasty patients cited improved self-esteem and self-confidence after years of embarrassment from protruding or large ears, asymmetries, or deformities related to ear shape.

However, otoplasty techniques and results can vary, and it’s important to have realistic expectations. Traditional otoplasty makes the ears less noticeable, but not necessarily smaller. Also, some level of asymmetry is still possible post-op, and some reviewers say they went back for revision otoplasty.

If your primary concern is protruding ears and you’re put off by high otoplasty costs, you may want to consider Earfold, a less expensive alternative that can pull back prominent ears.

Why do otoplasty costs vary?

Several factors can affect the cost of ear surgery.

1. The complexity of your otoplasty procedure

The type of ear surgery you get has a major impact on the total cost of otoplasty.

A typical procedure involves ear pinning to decrease the projection of ears that stick out. The simplest cases involve only the formation of the antihelical fold at the top of the ear, which some people are born without. In a good candidate, surgeons can create this fold by placing permanent sutures in the ear, without making incisions.

A more complex ear surgery can: 

• correct a birth defect that affects the shape of the ear cartilage or earlobes
• make your ears smaller
• fix the position or shape of asymmetrical ears (when one ear looks bigger or different than the other)
• reconstruct an injured ear
• revise a previously operated-on ear

A straightforward ear pinning procedure will be less expensive than a more complex reconstructive surgery aimed at correcting deformities or physical trauma, or an otoplasty procedure that involves ear reshaping. Not only do these types of operations take more time, but they require more advanced surgical skills and techniques.

If your ear procedure requires major reconstruction by a highly skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon, you can expect to pay well above the average cost of ear surgery.

2. Your surgeon’s credentials and level of expertise

Your surgeon’s qualifications—including their level of education, training, certifications, and how long they've been in practice—will have great bearing on how much your otoplasty costs. 

A reputable, board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon with high demand for their services can charge a higher surgeon's fee than a general surgeon who offers cosmetic procedures. 

This may seem like an opportunity to save, but even an ear surgery procedure that seems simple still requires skill and artistry. Poorly performed procedures can result in visible scarring, asymmetry, or ears pinned so tightly to the head that they look unnatural. 

Problems like this can only be fixed with revision or reconstructive surgery, at additional expense to the patient. It’s always the most cost-effective route to go with an experienced plastic surgeon, who has the skill and experience to perform your procedure correctly the first time. 

3. Where your surgery is performed

Your provider’s practice location impacts their expenses, like rent and staff salaries, which in turn affects how much they have to charge.

Surgeons in major metros like New York City, where costs of living are high and plastic surgery is in demand, usually charge more—especially if they’re in an expensive area, like downtown Manhattan. These practices have more overhead, and they also don't have to compete as much for new patients by offering low prices. 

If you’re flexible on location, you may want to look for top-rated surgeons in places with a lower cost of living. Even if you have to pay travel expenses, you could save enough money to make it worth going outside your local area. 

Facility fees for the operating room also come into play. Most cosmetic otoplasty procedures are performed in private surgery centers, which are less expensive than hospital operating rooms. 

Just be sure to confirm during your initial consultation that your surgeon's operating room is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

4. The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it

The type of anesthesia required for your procedure will also impact your ear surgery cost.

Most ear pinning surgeries can be comfortably performed under local anesthesia with some form of sedation, which ensures that you're fully relaxed. Local anesthesia and oral sedation can be administered by your surgeon or a registered nurse. 

Complex reconstructive otoplasty procedures to fix injuries or other deformities—as well as surgeries performed on minors—may require general anesthesia or IV sedation, which could add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your total bill. Either of these options must be administered by an anesthesiologist (an MD) or nurse anesthetist, who then monitors your vitals throughout your procedure. Both providers are qualified, but an anesthesiologist will charge more for their time.

Most of these professionals charge by the hour. While a standard otoplasty procedure takes one to two hours to complete, more complex cases can run longer, meaning your anesthesia fees will be higher.

Is ear surgery covered by health insurance?

Most cosmetic ear surgeries are elective procedures, so the cost of ear pinning and other cosmetic otoplasties are not covered by health insurance.

However, some insurance providers may cover a portion of the cost of otoplasty if it’s necessary to improve hearing, resolve pain, or fix another type of medical condition. 

Check with your insurance provider to see what kind of physician documentation they would need, to prove that your otoplasty surgery is medically necessary.

Even if you don't qualify for coverage, keep in mind that most plastic surgeons offer monthly payment plans and accept plastic surgery financing options, to help make it more affordable.

Ear surgery costs in U.S. states

Browse the average cost of ear surgery in select U.S. states, according to patient reviews on RealSelf. As of July 2023, Utah had the cheapest average cost (as reported by patients), while New York was the most expensive. States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.