Prominent Ear

Some people's ears stick out more than normal. This condition is sometimes referred to as "bat ears". Ears that stick out do not cause any physical problems, but they can make people feel self-conscious and can lead to children being teased.

About prominent ears

About one to two percent of the people in the UK think that their ears stick out too much. Ears are one of the first parts of the body to reach full size, which is why protruding ears can be more noticeable in children.

Treating prominent ears

The main treatment for prominent ears is an operation called pinnaplasty or otoplasty, that reshapes the cartilage (gristly tissue) in the ear and uses plastic stitches to pin the ears back (or sometimes just by using the stitches alone). The procedure may also be known as "ear pinning".

There is no medical need to have a pinnaplasty, but people with protruding ears often feel unhappy with their appearance.

Children are particularly vulnerable to teasing and name-calling, which can cause great distress.