Protruding ears

Children with protruding ears are often teased at school and suffer greatly as a result. Ears with a head-ear distance of more than 1.8 cm are considered aesthetically unpleasant.

Aesthetically unpleasant ears are those with a head-ear distance of more than 1.8 cm. This is usually due to a weak or non-existent ear fold. This fold is formed during the operation. This allows the pinna to fit better to the head.

The operation is performed under general anaesthetic during a day stay. Afterwards, a bandage or headband must be worn day and night for three weeks and only at night for a further three weeks. We therefore only recommend the operation in the colder months. As the ear is not yet fully grown under the age of 5 and there is a much greater risk that the ear will stick out again after the operation, we offer the operation from the age of 5 at the earliest. It is also important that the child itself wants the operation.

As this is a cosmetic procedure, the operation is not covered by the basic health insurance. Supplementary insurance usually covers a proportion of the costs, which range from CHF 1900 (one side) to CHF 3800 (both sides).

Congenital ear deformities, such as a folded ear, can in certain cases be brought into shape with a splint (EarWell). As the pinna is particularly malleable after birth, treatment should be started as early as possible, i.e. ideally in the first four weeks of life.

The therapy lasts 4-6 weeks and weekly check-ups at our hospital are necessary. It is completely painless for the child.

The Earwell treatment is not is covered by health insurance and costs CHF 750.