Book Now

Your ears go a long way towards framing your face and creating a sense of facial harmony. Ear surgery, also frequently referred to as otoplasty, enables you to reposition or reshape your ears in a way that naturally enhances your look.

quote module

Our Ear Surgery Results

View More

Enjoy Renewed Confidence in Your Appearance

Otoplasty, or ear surgery, refers to a procedure that can correct the size and shape of your ears, creating a look that better frames your face and contributes to an improved sense of facial symmetry. This surgery can help you enjoy more confidence in your appearance whether you were born with ears that you would like to change, or your ears have become damaged by trauma or injury.

In either case, ear surgery can help you enjoy an outcome that significantly boosts your quality of life. To learn more about how our facial plastic surgery specialists can help you, reach out to our Merritt Island or Melbourne, FL locations and set up your consultation with a member of our team today.

Gallery media

How Ear Surgery Can Help

Beyond improving the structure of your ears, otoplasty can significantly improve your appearance, particularly if you feel as though your ears draw too much attention to themselves. Individuals with protruding ears, for example, often opt for ear pinning surgery to position their ears closer to the head.

Otoplasty frequently serves as a significant self-esteem booster for our patients, adults, and children alike. While ear surgery does not impact the patient’s hearing ability, it can improve the positioning and prominence of protruding or floppy ears. For children, we recommend otoplasty before they enter kindergarten or first grade so that they can attend school with confidence. Ear surgery is typically performed for three reasons:

  • To improve the position or proportion of the ear
  • To correct a defect in the ear shape that is present at birth
  • To treat misshapen ears caused by injury
Sculpture of a woman sitting and touching her head

Do I Need Ear Surgery?

Otoplasty is one of the few plastic surgery procedures that is routinely performed on children under 15 years old. Often, parents and their children will decide on otoplasty together, but sometimes decide to wait until the child is fully grown. 

Fortunately, ears stop growing by age seven. We recommend that children undergo otoplasty between five and seven years of age—certainly before first grade—because misshapen ears have been known to adversely affect self-esteem if not corrected early. Many adolescents and adults also opt to improve the shape and position of their ears, as well. Facial plastic surgery specialists Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS, and Phillip Barbee, MD, can discuss with you, or you and your child, how otoplasty can help reposition prominent ears to achieve the appearance you desire.

The Experience and Expertise You Deserve

When you visit Clevens Face and Body Specialists, you’re visiting a practice made possible by a team of over 30 experts in their respective fields. Founder and medical director Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS, carefully handpicked the surgeons at Clevens Face and Body Specialists to offer you an elevated level of expertise and experience, along with a welcoming sense of approachability.

Dr. Clevens built this team by surrounding himself with the very best of the best, creating a practice that offers its patients comprehensive cosmetic care in a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. To learn more about how the team here at Clevens Face and Body Specialists will work to create the results you deserve, reach out and set up your consultation at our Merritt Island or Melbourne, FL offices today.

Banner media

Your Preoperative Consultation

The consultation process is an important one here at Clevens Face and Body Specialists. This meeting gives us the opportunity to get to know you and lets you build a relationship with your surgeon that is founded upon trust and understanding. During your preoperative meetings, we’ll get to know the goals you have in mind for your surgery, giving you a thorough understanding of what it can and cannot accomplish.

After your surgeon has guided you through the most appropriate treatment options, you’ll work together to create your surgical plan. You’ll discuss everything from the duration of your specific procedure to incision placement and more, so you can enjoy total peace of mind throughout your experience with us.

When your surgical plan is ready, we’ll provide you with a quote, explore any financing options that may interest you, and begin scheduling your appointments. Our team will remain available to you throughout your recovery period, ensuring that you’re supported and cared for every step of the way.

Otoplasty Procedure Types

Traditional Otoplasty

Dr. Clevens and Dr. Barbee perform otoplasty alongside an anesthesiologist in a fully accredited Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) that exceeds the most stringent state and national accreditation standards, providing you the highest level of safety available. General or local anesthesia will be used, depending on your preferences, and the surgery will last about two to four hours. The most common technique is for your surgeon to make an incision in the posterior area of the ear to access the cartilage and sculpt it, remove part of it, or simply reposition it. This ensures that the incision lines will remain hidden. Your surgeon will tailor your surgery to your facial structure and ears for the most pleasing possible outcome.

Incisionless Otoplasty

Dr. Clevens and Dr. Barbee have extensive experience with a procedure known as “incisionless” otoplasty. This unique procedure, performed in-office under local anesthesia, allows the careful incisionless repair of misshapen ears, without the use of sutures. You’ll enjoy a fast recovery, with little to no bruising or swelling. Not all patients are candidates, so you can learn more during your otoplasty consultation and find out if the incisionless option is right for you.

Watch our Webinar on Incisionless Otoplasty

Background media

Recovery After Your Otoplasty Surgery

Within hours of your otoplasty surgery, you’ll feel ready to go about your day. Small children will need to be kept under medical observation until their general anesthesia has worn off completely. 

Your surgeon will place a bandage over your ears to ensure they maintain their new position and to ensure prompt recovery. After a few days, the bandage will be changed out for a lighter one. We recommend taking about a week off of school or work to fully heal and avoiding strenuous exercise for about a month.

We’ll give you detailed aftercare instructions before the date of your procedure, so you’ll know exactly what to expect while you’re recovering. Our team will also be available to ensure that you’re supported during your recovery period and to address any concerns that may arise.

What Our Patients Say

Read the glowing feedback we received from one of our ear surgery patients. Be sure to let your surgeon know if you’d like to speak with another patient who has undergone a similar procedure.

“I flew from Savannah, GA to Melbourne, FL specifically for Dr. Clevens and his expertise. I actually cried the first time I saw my ears in post-op because they looked so great. It is very emotional and a life-changing experience when something that has held you back physically your whole life is no longer there to bully you. I wish that I could have gotten my ears done sooner.” – rilever5, review on RealSelf

Read More Testimonials

Background media
Contact us media
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 321-727-3223.
Book Now