Ear reshaping surgery — medically known as otoplasty or pinnaplasty — is a surgical procedure that permanently corrects the shape, size or position of the outer ear (the visible pinna or auricle). At Maynee Chennai, it addresses four primary concerns: (1) Ear Pinning — corrects protruding or prominent ears by bringing them closer to the head; (2) Ear Reduction (Macrotia Correction) — reduces overly large ears to proportionate size; (3) Ear Symmetry Correction — balances ears that differ in position, size or contour; and (4) Earlobe Repair — corrects torn, split, stretched or enlarged earlobes. Additionally, congenital deformities such as cup ears, lop ears and Stahl's ear are corrected through tailored reconstruction techniques. All corrections are performed through hidden incisions behind the ear with no visible scarring from any normal viewing angle.

The ideal age for paediatric ear reshaping surgery is 5 to 7 years — once the ear has reached approximately 85–90% of its adult size (which occurs by age 5–6) and the ear cartilage is still pliable, making reshaping technically easier. Many parents choose to proceed just before the child starts primary school — protecting them from ear-related teasing and social self-consciousness during those critical early social years. Surgery at this age produces excellent, lasting results without affecting future ear growth. However, there is no upper age limit — the procedure is equally effective and safe for teenagers and adults. Some adults in their 30s, 40s and beyond choose otoplasty after decades of managing their ear appearance through hairstyles. The right time depends on the child's emotional readiness and the parent's assessment of whether the ears are affecting the child's confidence or social interactions.

During the procedure there is no pain — children are under general anaesthesia and adults under local anaesthesia with sedation, ensuring complete comfort. After surgery, the first 24–48 hours involve mild to moderate soreness, aching and a throbbing sensation around the ears — this is effectively managed with prescribed pain medication and most patients describe it as much more tolerable than expected. Swelling and bruising appear over the first 2–3 days and gradually resolve over 2–3 weeks. The ears feel tender to touch and sensitive, with a tight, numb sensation as healing progresses — all normal and temporary. Most patients require pain medication for only 3–5 days. Children adapt remarkably quickly; most report being comfortable within a few days and are back at school within 7–10 days. Adults return to desk work within 5–7 days. The experience is consistently described by patients as significantly less uncomfortable than they anticipated.

Visible scarring is not a practical concern for the vast majority of otoplasty patients. All surgical incisions are placed entirely within the natural crease where the ear meets the head on the posterior (back) surface — a location that is anatomically self-concealing from all normal viewing angles (front, side, three-quarter). The incisions are not visible when looking at someone face-on, from the side, or in photographs. Over the first 3–6 months of healing, the scars evolve from pink lines to pale, flat, imperceptible marks — typically indistinguishable from the natural skin crease even on close inspection. Correct post-operative care — particularly protecting the healing area from direct sun exposure and applying silicone scar gel if recommended — further minimises long-term scar appearance. The extremely rare exception is patients with a strong keloid-forming tendency, which is assessed and discussed at your consultation.

Yes — ear reshaping surgery produces a permanent result. The ear cartilage is reshaped and held in its corrected position with permanent internal sutures — once healed, the new cartilage shape and ear position are maintained indefinitely. The ears do not revert to their pre-surgical position with time, ageing, weight change or normal activities. This is why otoplasty is often described as a lifelong investment — a single surgical procedure delivers permanent benefits. The only rare exception would be significant physical trauma to the ear forcing it out of position (which would require surgical revision), or, rarely, a suture loosening in the immediate early post-operative period — which is promptly addressed at follow-up. Normal daily life, exercise (once cleared after 4–6 weeks), sleeping, hair washing and all other activities are completely safe for long-term results.

Absolutely not — otoplasty has no effect whatsoever on hearing. This is one of the most common concerns we hear from parents and patients, and the reassurance is complete and absolute. Ear reshaping surgery works entirely on the outer ear — the visible cartilage and skin of the pinna (auricle). The inner ear (cochlea, vestibular system), middle ear (eardrum, ossicles), and ear canal are completely separate anatomical structures that are not accessed, touched or affected during the procedure in any way. Hearing ability, hearing clarity, ear canal function and all related structures are entirely unchanged before and after surgery. Hearing is never tested or evaluated as part of the otoplasty process because it is simply not relevant to the procedure. Parents specifically bring their children for this concern and always leave reassured — the procedure is purely cosmetic to the outer ear structure.

The surgery itself takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the complexity of correction and whether one or both ears are being treated. Both ears are operated on in the same session, which does not significantly extend the procedure time. Surgery is performed on a day-surgery outpatient basis — no overnight hospital stay required. The patient is monitored in recovery for 1–2 hours after surgery and then discharged home the same day. Children can return to school after 7–10 days, provided they wear a protective headband during school hours to prevent any accidental ear trauma. Adults can return to desk work within 5–7 days. Strenuous exercise and all contact sports should be avoided for 4–6 weeks. Sleeping on the side of the operated ear should be avoided for 3–4 weeks. A soft protective headband is worn at night for up to 4–6 weeks as directed.

Yes — bilateral otoplasty (both ears in one session) is the standard approach and is strongly preferred over operating on each ear separately. The primary reason is symmetry: when both ears are corrected in the same session, the surgeon can balance them simultaneously in real time — comparing the intraoperative appearance of both ears and making micro-adjustments to achieve the most symmetric result. Trying to match a previously operated ear (weeks or months later) is technically much more difficult and produces less precise symmetry. Additionally, bilateral surgery means a single anaesthetic event, a single recovery period and a single set of post-operative restrictions — rather than two separate recoveries. Operating on both ears simultaneously does not meaningfully increase surgical time, risk or recovery compared to single-ear correction.

Otoplasty is a safe, well-established procedure with high satisfaction rates and a low complication profile when performed by certified cosmetic surgeons. Expected, temporary effects include swelling, bruising, tenderness, itching and temporary numbness around the ear for 2–3 weeks — all normal parts of healing. Rare complications include: haematoma (blood collection beneath skin — treated by drainage at follow-up if significant), infection (rare, managed with antibiotics), suture-related issues (a permanent suture becoming palpable beneath skin — minor adjustment under local anaesthesia if required), asymmetry (one ear appearing different from the other — may require revision in a small proportion of cases), and keloid or thickened scarring (rare and more likely in patients with a pre-existing keloid tendency). Over-correction — ears pinned too closely against the head — is a risk at inexperienced clinics but is specifically avoided through conservative, natural-result-focused surgical planning at Maynee. Serious complications are uncommon when surgery is performed by a qualified, certified cosmetic surgeon in an appropriate clinical setting.

Ear reshaping surgery cost at Maynee in Chennai depends on several factors assessed at consultation: whether one ear or both ears require correction; the specific surgical technique appropriate for your or your child's ear anatomy (ear pinning, ear reduction, earlobe repair or a combination); the type of anaesthesia required (local with sedation for adults vs general anaesthesia for children); and whether any additional procedures are being combined. Because every surgical plan is fully personalised after a thorough ear assessment by a certified cosmetic surgeon, we do not publish fixed pre-set prices. A complete, transparent cost breakdown with no hidden charges is provided at your consultation appointment, after your surgeon has assessed the ear anatomy and recommended the appropriate treatment approach. You leave the consultation with full clarity on the procedure plan, expected result and complete cost — with no obligation to proceed.