From the Research
For newborns with congenital ear deformities such as lop ear (microtia), ear molds are typically recommended for 2-3 weeks of continuous wear, with total treatment duration ranging from 6-8 weeks, as supported by the most recent study 1. The treatment should begin as early as possible, ideally within the first 1-3 weeks of life when the ear cartilage is still malleable due to maternal estrogen effects. Some key points to consider when using ear molds for newborns with lop ear deformity include:
- The ear mold should be worn 24 hours a day, removing only briefly for cleaning 2.
- Parents should clean the ear and device daily with mild soap and water, checking for skin irritation or pressure sores.
- Follow-up appointments are usually scheduled weekly to monitor progress and adjust the mold as needed. This non-surgical approach is highly effective because newborn cartilage is soft and pliable due to high circulating maternal estrogen levels, which decrease after birth 3. The success rate diminishes significantly after 3 months of age as the cartilage hardens, potentially necessitating surgical correction later in life 4. Early intervention with ear molding can avoid the need for surgery in many cases, and it is essential to increase awareness of this topic to ultimately increase patient and parental satisfaction with their overall care 5.