What is Ear Molding?
Ear molding is a simple, non-operative way to correct for abnormally shaped or prominent ears if your baby’s ears stick out, your baby’s ears are folded, or your baby’s ears have deformities. Newborns and infants have soft, pliable cartilage in their ears, which can be reshaped using gentle forces. Ear molding applies a constant re-directive force to the cartilage to bend back, unfurl, and improve the position and structure.
I currently use the EarWell device, which is a custom made for this purpose and consists of a soft silicone shell. The device is perforated to allow for your baby to hear normally during the process.
How it is done?
Do your baby’s ears stick out or are your baby’s ears folded? The EarWell ear molding device can be applied during the initial consultation after a history and physical exam is performed. The steps are simple and involve:
1
Shaving a small area of hair around the ear
2
Cleaning the skin and applying the device, which has a built-in adhesive that sticks to the skin
3
Placing the ear in the desired position and shape using a soft silicone retainer and conchal conformer
4
Applying the protective cover and possibly further tape to prevent the device from falling off
Follow-up exams are performed every two weeks and molding is continued until the desired results are achieved.
How Long Does Molding take?
Starting the ear molding process early, when your child is less than two weeks old typically only requires 2-3 weeks of molding to achieve our desired result. Sometimes I will continue the process with only double sided tape to fine tune our results.
If ear molding is started >2 weeks old***, the process is continued for 4-6 weeks until our desired result is reached.
*** I have successfully performed this procedure in children as old as five months using a modified technique.
How Successful Is Ear Molding?
Over 90% of all ear deformities can be completely corrected using this technique preventing the need for future operations. Ear molding is completely covered by your insurance, unlike corrective surgery (otoplasty/ear pinning surgery).
Where is the Ear Molding Performed? (Ear Molding in Manhattan, Ear Molding in Brooklyn, Ear Molding in Long Island)
We currently provide ear molding in our NY and Long Island office locations. After a brief consultation the Earwell™ device can be placed during the same visit. Please call either number and choose your location.
EAR MOLDING IN NEW YORK FAQS
The procedure for baby ear molding takes approximately 2 hours.
Newborn ear molding must be started early because infants and newborns have soft, pliable cartilage. This makes it easier to reshape their ears and use gentle traction forces with molding.
Dr. Bastidas will review your child’s full medical history and perform a physical exam. If a candidate for ear molding, Dr. Bastidas will apply the EarWell™ device to the ear during this appointment. The application of the device is a painless, simple process.
Yes, baby ear molds are covered by insurance.
Your baby might need ear molding if they were born with mishappen ears, folded ears, ears that stick out, or abnormally large ears, and when their outer ear is intact and all other parts of their ears are present. Age is also an important factor when determining if your baby is a candidate for ear molding – Your baby should be less than 6 weeks old.
Dr. Bastidas has successfully performed this procedure in children as old as 5 months using a modified technique. Early intervention is always better for more consistent results, ideally when your baby is 2 to 3 weeks old.
A baby might need ear molds if they are born with abnormally large ears or folded ears.
Ear molding for infants usually requires that your child wear the ear molds for anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the amount of reshaping needed and when the device was applied. A newborn ear deformity resolves within this timeframe in more than 90% of cases.