What Is Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)? Costs, Benefits and What to Expect

Otoplasty (or ear pinning) is a type of cosmetic surgery that reshapes your ears. Many people love the results and believe the cost and recovery time are worthwhile. This guide will explain how the surgery works and what to expect.

What Is Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)?

Otoplasty is a procedure that changes the shape of your ears. It's typically recommended for people who have a structural birth defect or feel their ears are misshapen, protrude too much or are too small.¹

Some of the common types of ear surgeries include:

• Ear pinning surgery to reshape ears that may stick out¹
• Ear reduction for oversized ears¹
• Ear augmentation for cupped (very small) ears²
• Surgery for other structural issues, such as the tip folding down and forward (lop), missing curves and folds on the outer rim (shell ear) or excessively large wrinkles in the lobes²

Patients should be about 5 years old before getting otoplasty to ensure their ears have finished growing.³

How Does Otoplasty Work?

This is an outpatient procedure, but you'll still be given some type of sedation, typically either local or general anesthesia. Expect the surgery to last about one to three hours.³

During the ear surgery, your doctor will make an incision on the back of your ear or within the folds of your ear.⁴ Your surgeon will remove or sculpt your ear's cartilage to create the desired shape and then close your incisions.⁵

Your doctor will want your ears to be symmetrical, but whether the otoplasty is performed on one or both of your ears will depend on your individual case.⁶

How Much Does Otoplasty Cost?

The national average cost* of otoplasty is $3,981, but the cost ranges between $3,065 and $6,437. The cost depends on factors like the exact type of correction needed, the clinic location, the type of anesthesia used or the surgeon's experience.⁷

Average cost of otoplasty by state/district

Here is a breakdown of average costs* of otoplasty across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.⁷

Does Health Insurance Cover the Cost of Otoplasty?

Unfortunately, health insurance usually won't cover ear pinning surgery because it's viewed as elective. If the surgery is necessary to help with hearing loss, then it might be covered.⁸

Despite the price of otoplasty, most people believe the benefits make it worthwhile.³ The good news is that there are still many ways to finance the surgery, such as with a CareCredit credit card.**

Benefits of Otoplasty

Otoplasty is designed to help permanently improve the appearance of your ears. One of the main benefits is increasing your self-confidence and your overall sense of well-being. In fact, the reason this safe surgery is often performed on children is because of how pronounced these benefits can be, including reducing the chances of experiencing social traumas like bullying.⁵

Preparing for Otoplasty

If you're interested in otoplasty, you'll want to know what to expect.

First, you'll meet with a plastic surgeon for a consultation, where you'll go over your full medical history, including medications and allergies, and discuss what you hope to accomplish.⁶

You'll talk about the drawbacks and costs, along with what to expect. The side effects are rare and similar to other surgeries and can include infection, bleeding or blood clots.²

After your consultation, your ear pinning surgery will be scheduled and your doctor will provide you with everything you need to know to prepare. You may be asked to stop taking any medication that could increase your chances of bleeding. You may also be asked to stop smoking far in advance of your surgery.⁹

Remember that because you'll be sedated, you'll need to arrange for a family member or friend to drive you to the surgery and take you home afterward.⁹

Recovering From Otoplasty

You'll start with a dressing on your bandaged ears.⁵ Your ears may throb or ache for the first few days, and you may experience some swelling, bruising or moderate bleeding.¹⁰ To protect your ears, you can only sleep on your back and you shouldn't wear clothes that have to be pulled over your head.¹⁰

Your doctor will likely recommend prescription pain medication along with over-the-counter medicine.⁶ After a few days, your doctor will remove your bandages and give you a lighter headband to wear.⁶ You may need to wear a headband to protect your ears at night for up to four weeks.³

As far as returning to your normal physical activities, you'll need to be patient. You can usually go back to work or school within 10 days.² You can typically swim after your wounds have fully healed in about three weeks.¹¹ Light exercise can begin in about two weeks, though you can start walking right away.¹¹

While it can take up to a year for your ears to fully heal, most of your swelling will be gone within three months.²

Remember that these are all just guidelines. The most important thing is to ask your surgeon and follow their postsurgical instructions closely.

Can You Get Revisions After Your Otoplasty?

Once your bandages are removed, you'll be able to immediately see the results of your ear pinning surgery, even though you're not yet fully healed.⁴ However, it may take a few months for most of your swelling to go down.²

If you're not happy with your otoplasty, your doctor may want you to wait six months to a year before getting a revision so your cartilage can fully stabilize. At that point, you and your surgeon can decide if revision surgery is a good idea. But most people who get this surgery are thrilled with the results.³

Otoplasty is a safe surgery that can help if you're unhappy with the appearance of your ears. If you're interested, research your options carefully and seek a consultation with a surgeon near you. Many people believe the cost and recovery are worth the confidence they get from the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Otoplasty

Do you still have questions about Otoplasty? Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about the procedure.

Financing for Otoplasty With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for otoplasty and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.