What is neonatal ear molding?

The optimal time to treat malformed or prominent ears in neonates is during the first few weeks of life. During this period, a baby’s ears are soft and can be guided to take on new shapes. This process can often help avoid the need for a surgical procedure and may achieve results that are equal to or superior to ear surgery. Most common birth defects of the ear, such as prominent ears, cryptotia and Stahl’s ear, can typically be treated with molding.

Who can undergo ear molding?

The period after birth when ears may be molded is short. The best results can be achieved when molding is started in the first three weeks of life. Infants may still undergo molding up to 3 months of age, but the results are not as reliable. After the first few months of life, ears are no longer moldable, and surgery during childhood will be needed to correct an abnormal ear shape.

What is involved in molding an infant’s ears?

A doctor will use a soft silicone mold and medical tape to hold the affected ear or ears in a more typical shape. Medical adhesive will be used to secure the tape, and it is possible that a small amount of hair may need to be clipped or trimmed. Additional tape and adhesive will be provided to replace tape that becomes loose at home.

The ear-molding area should remain clean and dry. Treatment typically lasts for two to three months for babies that begin molding in the first three weeks of life. Longer molding periods are needed to achieve lasting results in older patients and may not be as effective.

What are the alternatives to ear molding?

Children who are too old for ear molding can still undergo treatment for prominent or misshaped ears. A surgical procedure called otoplasty is an option, though it should be delayed until early childhood to allow for more ear growth. Otoplasty is performed through an incision in the back of the ear. Cartilage scoring and sutures are used to create typical folds of the ear and to decrease the prominence of the ear. Children will have an immediate improvement in their ear shape. They will need to wear a protective dressing for several weeks after surgery.