Prominent ears are one of the most common congenital differences of the face, and their effect on confidence is often far greater than their size would suggest. Children may hear comments at school long before they understand why, and many adults recall years of choosing hairstyles, hats, and camera angles to keep their ears out of view. At Privé Beverly Hills, we meet patients at both ends of that experience: parents seeking guidance for a child, and adults who have finally decided to address something they have noticed for most of their lives. Otoplasty, often called ear pinning, is a precise and relatively brief procedure, and understanding how it works for different ages can help families and individuals across Los Angeles make a well-informed decision.
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes, repositions, or resizes the outer ear so that it sits in better proportion to the head and face. The most frequent goal is to bring ears that project noticeably away from the head closer to the sides of the head, which is why the procedure is commonly known as ear pinning. Otoplasty can also refine ears that are uneven, unusually shaped, or misshapen because of a congenital condition or prior trauma. It does not affect hearing, because the work is performed on the external cartilage and skin rather than the inner structures of the ear.
Dr. Catherine S. Chang, MD, FACS performs otoplasty at Privé Beverly Hills. Dr. Chang is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a sub-specialization in cranio-maxillofacial aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, completed her plastic surgery training at the University of Pennsylvania, and pursued fellowship training at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she also served as a clinical instructor of surgery. Her background in facial structure and proportion informs how our surgical team plans every ear procedure, with the aim of ears that look balanced rather than obviously altered. More detail about the procedure is available on our otoplasty and ear pinning page.
In most cases, prominent ears result from the way the ear cartilage developed. A common pattern is an underdeveloped antihelical fold, the curved ridge inside the outer rim of the ear, which normally helps the ear lie closer to the head. Another is excess depth of the conchal bowl, the cup-shaped area nearest the ear canal, which pushes the entire ear outward. Many patients have a combination of both, and the two ears are frequently not identical. Identifying which factors are present is essential, because each one calls for a different surgical maneuver.
The reasons patients seek otoplasty are deeply personal, and they often differ by age. For children, concerns usually center on teasing, self-consciousness, and reluctance to wear their hair in certain ways or take part in activities such as swimming. For adults, the motivation is often a long-standing awareness that has never faded, sometimes renewed by a career change, a milestone event, or simply a feeling that it is finally the right time. Some adults also seek correction of an earlier otoplasty that did not produce the result they hoped for.
Research suggests that otoplasty may offer meaningful benefits beyond appearance. In a 2024 study published in the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Aliyeva and colleagues assessed adults before and six months after otoplasty and found significant reductions in social appearance anxiety and body image concerns, concluding that the procedure may improve psychological well-being and quality of life regardless of age. These findings support what many adult patients tell us: that it is never too late to address a concern that has followed them for years.
With children, one of the most important questions is whether the desire for surgery comes from the child or primarily from the adults around them. A 2026 study by Baek and colleagues in Plastic Surgery, which examined quality of life after Mustardé otoplasty, found that nearly all patients reported a positive change, and that the greatest gains were seen when the child or patient was personally motivated rather than when surgery was driven mainly by parents or peers. At Privé Beverly Hills, Dr. Chang takes time to speak directly with younger patients so that their own feelings are part of the decision.
Our Signature approach to otoplasty begins with careful measurement and a detailed examination of each ear individually. Dr. Chang evaluates cartilage shape and strength, the depth of the conchal bowl, the definition of the antihelical fold, the position of the earlobes, and the degree of asymmetry between the two sides. She then explains which corrections are needed and why, so that patients and parents understand exactly what the plan involves. Because no two patients are the same, every plan is tailored to the patient’s anatomy and goals.
In the technique described on our practice pages, Dr. Chang makes an incision hidden in the natural crease behind the ear, removes a small amount of skin where appropriate, and reshapes the cartilage by folding it back on itself with carefully placed permanent sutures, reshaping the ear without removing cartilage. This approach may help create a soft, natural antihelical fold and reduce projection. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis by Alanazi in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, which pooled 14 studies of cartilage-sparing otoplasty, found that the most commonly reported complication was recurrence requiring revision, at roughly 4 percent, followed by less frequent issues such as suture exposure and hematoma, and concluded that cartilage-sparing otoplasty is a safe and reproducible technique.
Dr. Chang performs ear pinning either awake under local anesthesia as an in-office procedure or in an accredited surgery center under general anesthesia. Many adults are comfortable with local anesthesia, while general anesthesia is often preferred for younger children so they can remain still and at ease. The procedure typically takes about 40 to 45 minutes per ear, and patients return home the same day.
Otoplasty can be performed in children once the ear has developed sufficiently and the child is able to understand and cooperate with aftercare. Many families consider surgery during the early school years, though there is no single correct age, and Dr. Chang evaluates each child’s ear development and emotional readiness individually. Parents should expect a thorough discussion of the bandage and activity restrictions, since a child’s ability to protect the ears during healing is an important part of a successful result.
Adult ear cartilage tends to be firmer and less pliable than a child’s, which can influence how the cartilage is shaped and secured. Adults may also have different goals, such as subtle refinement of one ear to better match the other, or correction of a prior procedure. Dr. Chang adjusts her technique accordingly, and she may coordinate otoplasty with other facial procedures when a patient’s goals extend beyond the ears.
Good candidates are in generally good health, have no active infection around the ears, and hold realistic expectations about what reshaping can accomplish. Patients who smoke, have certain medical conditions that affect healing, or are seeking perfect symmetry may need additional discussion, because small differences between the ears are normal and may persist after surgery. For children, a lack of personal interest in the procedure or difficulty following aftercare instructions may suggest that waiting is the wiser choice.
Immediately after surgery, a soft bandage is wrapped around the head to protect the ears and support their new position. Bruising and swelling are typically minimal, and discomfort is usually manageable with medication. Most adult patients are able to return to work within about three days, while children may need a few additional days at home before returning to school, depending on comfort and activity.
After the initial bandage is removed, our surgical team may recommend wearing a light headband, particularly at night, for a period of time to protect the ears from being bent forward during sleep. Contact sports and activities that could put pressure on the ears are usually avoided for several weeks. Temporary tenderness, numbness, or sensitivity to cold is common and generally improves as healing progresses. Dr. Chang provides clear written instructions and schedules follow-up visits to monitor healing.
The incisions are placed behind the ear, where they are well concealed as they mature. Because the ears are viewed from many angles and are rarely perfectly symmetrical to begin with, the goal is natural proportion rather than an identical mirror image. Most patients see the overall shape soon after the bandage is removed, with continued softening over the following months. As with any procedure, a small percentage of patients may benefit from a minor revision, which Dr. Chang discusses openly during consultation. Patients may view examples of Dr. Chang’s work in our before and after gallery.
Ear surgery requires a refined understanding of facial proportion as well as delicate technical skill, since the ear’s folds and contours must look soft and natural from every angle. Dr. Catherine Chang’s cranio-maxillofacial training, academic background, and experience with facial reconstructive and aesthetic surgery make otoplasty a natural part of her practice. She has been recognized among Newsweek’s America’s Top Plastic Surgeons in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, and you can learn more about her education and research on our about page.
Our practice also welcomes families and adult patients traveling from outside Los Angeles. Because otoplasty is an outpatient procedure with a relatively short recovery, many visitors are able to plan their stay around it, and our out-of-town patient resources can help with that planning. Whether you live in Beverly Hills, elsewhere in LA County, or farther away, our surgical team aims to make the process clear and comfortable from the first conversation.
If you or your child has been bothered by the size, shape, or projection of the ears, a consultation with Dr. Chang is the best way to understand whether otoplasty is appropriate and what it would involve. During your visit, she will examine the ears, discuss goals and concerns, review anesthesia and recovery, and answer questions for both patients and parents. We invite you to contact Privé Beverly Hills to schedule a private consultation at our office at 9300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500, in Beverly Hills.
