Correcting newborn baby ear deformities can bring peace of mind and prevent babies from needing extensive surgical ear reconstruction later in life.
Fixing Ear Deformities in the First Two Weeks of Life
Fixing baby ear deformities in the first two weeks of life can bring peace of mind to new parents and prevent babies from needing more extensive surgical ear reconstruction later in life when the ear cartilage has stiffened. Parents of newborns are often so overjoyed with their new family addition (and sleep deprived due to midnight feedings) that an ear abnormality may go unnoticed in the beginning. However, once a routine is established and new parents begin to notice every precious feature of their newborn child, they may discover that his or her ears don’t seem quite right.
The fact is, newborn baby ear deformities are quite common, occurring in an estimated 20-35% of all births. So, if you are a new parent and beginning to wonder if something is wrong with your child’s ears, you are not alone.
While most baby ear deformities do not affect a child’s hearing, parents often worry that their child’s misshapen ears may cause teasing, bullying, or self-consciousness. Other new parents feel that cosmetic surgery to correct ear deformities would put their child through unnecessary discomfort, as well as the risk involved with any surgery. No matter the category you are in, ear molding can be the answer you are looking for.
Through the use of the highly-advanced, non-invasive EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System, parents no longer need to wait and hope that their child’s ears will improve. The fact is most ear abnormalities (70% or more) do not improve over time, and in some cases, they can worsen. It is important to note that even the best physician cannot predict if a child’s ear will self-correct, worsen, or remain the same.
The EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System eliminates the worry that accompanies the wait-and-see approach because it is designed to be applied during the first two weeks of life, while the ear cartilage is pliable and can be easily molded. When performed early (as recommended), the EarWell® treatment is typically completed by the time the child is 2 months old, leaving parents pleased with the appearance of their child’s ears and unworried about future teasing or reconstructive ear surgeries.
How the EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System Works
Estrogen levels in newborn babies are elevated due to being in utero. An enzyme in the body (hyaluronidase) interacts with the estrogen resulting in cartilage flexibility. After approximately 6 weeks, the estrogen levels drop and cartilage begins to stiffen.
The EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System should be utilized while the ear cartilage is most pliable (within the first 2 weeks of life) to attain optimum results. The EarWell® system involves applying a series of plastic molds to the misshapen ear. Each mold is attached to the infant’s head with adhesive, and the process is virtually painless.
The EarWell® mold can:
- Hold the ear cartilage in proper shape
- Flatten protruding ears
- Round out the ear
- Guide the ear closer to the head
Each ear mold is worn for a 2-week interval, and most infants require a series of 3 sets of molds, so treatment time averages about 6 weeks. Once the final molds are removed, the child’s ear deformity should be corrected, and no further treatment is usually necessary.
Benefits of the EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System include:
- Permanent ear correction
- No invasive surgery required
- 90% success rate
- Parental peace of mind
- Aesthetically pleasing outcome
- Painless
- Fast results (deformity correction in 4-6 weeks)
If you have a newborn and are concerned about his/her ear anomaly, do not delay in contacting your doctor about the EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System. Waiting can result in the time window appropriate for the molding procedure to be closed. The EarWell® Correction System is safe and painless for your child and produces fast results without surgery.
The Craniofacial Team of Texas utilizes the EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System to treat many types of ear deformities. If you would like more information about non-surgical treatment of congenital ear deformities, please contact the Craniofacial Team of Texas by calling 512-377-1142 or toll free 877-612-7069 to schedule an appointment or complete an online appointment request.
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