The Emotional and Psychological Benefits of Otoplasty
Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning surgery, offers more than just physical improvements. By balancing the proportions between the ears and the rest of the face, otoplasty can also provide significant emotional and psychological benefits — especially for children and adults who are teased about their dominant or overly protruding ears. As one of the only cosmetic surgeries that can be safely performed on children who have reached the majority of ear growth (usually at five years old), otoplasty can have a host of emotional and psychological benefits:
- Enhances self-confidence: Many people, especially children and teens, feel self-conscious about having prominent, disproportionate, or asymmetrical ears. The otoplasty procedure can bring the ears into balance and enhance facial harmony, allowing you (or your child) to feel more comfortable in social situations.
- Reduces bullying and teasing: Whether the improvements you seek require ear pinning surgery or another technique, otoplasty can significantly minimize teasing from peers about the shape/size of your (or your child’s) ears. If you find yourself hiding your ears with hats or long hair, this could be a sign that you would benefit from otoplasty.
- Improves self-image: Otoplasty has been proven to enhance the way individuals who struggle with overly dominant or asymmetrical ears perceive themselves. By helping patients feel good about themselves, the procedure can maximize overall quality of life.
- Creates the opportunity for personal expression: After men and women are able to achieve a more proportional and balanced ear shape, they often feel more comfortable wearing different hairstyles and ear accessories when compared to before surgery. Patients generally do not feel the need to hide their ears anymore.
There are a wide range of patients who could benefit from otoplasty; namely, good candidates for surgery are:
- Children or teenagers who struggle with bullying or teasing
- Adults who have dealt with self-consciousness or a poor self-image for years
- People who avoid social interactions or certain hairstyles due to the visibility of their ears
- Anyone seeking to align their outer appearance with their inner confidence
Dr. Sepehr is passionate about helping Newport Beach patients improve their self-esteem and enjoy a higher quality of life with otoplasty and other advanced procedures. Contact OC Facial Plastic Surgery today to book a consultation for yourself or your child, or to learn more about our services.
