While some ear malformations at birth may resolve on their own, others may need more advanced treatment to correct structural irregularities. These conditions can affect about 20 to 35 percent of all births.1 With the help of early intervention, common ear shape irregularities and ear deformities in newborn babies can be corrected to help avoid the potential necessity of more invasive surgery later on in the child’s life. As one of the few doctors in the Sacramento area to provide the EarWell® ear molding device for infants, board-certified plastic surgeon Amie Miller, MD is proud to offer this non-surgical ear correction treatment.
EarWell® at a Glance
- Potential Benefits: Improvement of a wide range of cosmetic ear shape irregularities without the need for surgery, needles, or anesthesia
- Candidates: Ideally, infants who are less than three weeks old with ear deformation
- Procedure: Ear molding device is placed for an average of 4 to 6 weeks to gradually reshape cartilage
- Results: Approximately 98 percent success rate for ideal candidates2
- Surgeon: Dr. Miller was personally trained by the inventor of EarWell®, Dr. Steve Byrd, and is one of the only doctors in the area to offer this solution
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What Is the EarWell® Device for Infant Ear Molding?
EarWell® Infant Ear Correction is a non-surgical ear molding device approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reshape ear cartilage and resolve common ear deformities in infants. Generally, EarWell® patients need to be young enough for the cartilage to be pliable and the device must be worn for the entire treatment process. This innovative solution offers a safe, comfortable option that can be completed over several weeks to correct an infant’s ear anatomy.
Is My Child a Candidate for the EarWell® System?
Over the many EarWell® molding treatments Dr. Miller has performed, she finds that ideal candidates should begin the procedure before turning three weeks old. Signs that your child may benefit from EarWell® infant ear molding include:
- The infant’s cartilage is soft and pliable
- You prefer to avoid potential corrective ear surgery (otoplasty) in the future
- The child has ear shape irregularities that are not self-corrected after one week, such as:
- Ears that extend more than 2 cm from the side of the head (Protruding Ear)
- A point at the top of the ear (Stahl’s Ear)
- Flattening on the upper ear rim (Helical Rim)
- The upper ear is partially hidden within the side of the head (Cryptotia)
- The upper ear is significantly folded over (Lidding or Lop Ear)
- Part of the upper ear appears wrinkled, rolled, or folded down (Cup or Constricted Ear)
- Upper ear cartilage is folded over, dividing the top portion of the ear in half (Conchal Crus Ear)
- Any combination of these deformities (Mixed Ear)
Although it is best to begin ear molding therapy as soon as possible, Dr. Miller can evaluate your child’s ears to determine if EarWell® or an alternative solution would best meet their needs.
What Does the EarWell® Treatment Process Involve?
To begin, the FDA-approved EarWell® device is placed on the front and back of the infant’s ear and secured with adhesive, which requires a portion of the ear area to be shaved prior to treatment. The process of application is designed to be painless, without requiring any needles or anesthesia, and your child should not feel any discomfort. Inside the device are custom molds designed to reshape each ear individually, and additional putty may be implemented if needed. On average, the EarWell® treatment process takes about four to six weeks to complete. Dr. Miller will monitor the restructuring progress to ensure optimal treatment is achieved.
What Can I Expect from the Results of EarWell® Treatment?
Clinical studies have shown a 98 percent success rate for infants with ear deformations that begin the EarWell® treatment within three weeks of birth.3 Overall, the positive long-term effects of treatment can help children avoid feelings of embarrassment or self-consciousness due to ear shape irregularities.
How Much Does the EarWell® Cost?
At Foothills Plastic Surgery, the cost of the EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System ranges from approximately $3,000 to $5,000, depending on whether one or two ears are being treated; however, more specific pricing will be based on the individual needs of the patient. After a consultation with Dr. Miller, our team will be able to provide a cost estimate based on the unique treatment plan for your child. We work with reputable third-party healthcare lenders that can provide financing for qualified applicants and payment plans that can help make the treatment more affordable.
To learn more about EarWell® treatment, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, please contact our office today.
1EarWell®
2EarWell® FAQs
3National Center for Biotechnology Information