Earwell Newborn Ear Molding
Why is my baby’s ear folded? Is EarWell right for my baby?
Newborn ear deformity is when a baby has a misshapen ear. Sometimes the ear is folded, rotated, or comes to a point, like a “fairy ear,” “Spock ear,” or “bat ear.” EarWell is a non-surgical, painless medical system used to correct infant ear deformities—such as prominent ears, folded ears (lop ear), or Stahl’s ear—during the first few weeks of life. Dr. Eric Carniol is a leading EarWell provider in New Jersey, treating over 100 ears in each of the last 3 years!
Newborn and Infant Ear Deformities
Newborn and infant ear deformities can be complicated, especially if they are not corrected early. About 25% of babies will have an ear deformity, and 70% of those will not improve over time or even worsen. This is particularly true for ears with sharp folds such as Stahl ear, or for prominent ears due to poor antihelical fold formation or high conchal wall.
Why is ear molding an “emergency?”
At birth, babies have very high estrogen from their mothers. That estrogen is metabolized by the baby once born, causing the ears to become less flexible after several weeks. As well, the ears are rapidly growing in the first month, growing as much as the 2nd and 3rd month of life combined, and as much as months 4-12 combined. Therefore, the window for excellent results is quite narrow. Ear molding is best done early (even in the first week of life). The staff at Carniol Plastic Surgery treats newborn ear deformity as an emergency and we strive to get patients in, even the same or next day.
Dr Carniol knows the earlier EarWell or EarBuddies is placed, the better chance of success!
Considerations
Since 70% of deformities will either not improve or worsen over time, your child will continue to live with this deformed ear. Prominent ears and other ear deformities are common causes of bullying for young children. These deformities may be correctable with surgery (known as Otoplasty), which requires general anesthesia for children, starting at the age of 4. Adults with ear deformities may remain self-conscious about their ears and desire surgery later in life.
Is ear molding covered under insurance or is it cosmetic? Ear molding for deformities like Stahl’s ear or prominent ears is considered a reconstructive medical procedure, not cosmetic. In New Jersey, most insurance plans cover this procedure as a medical necessity! Because many people have already paid through their deductible for having a baby, the out-of-pocket cost is usually very low!
Dr. Eric Carniol accepts Aetna, Cigna, and Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurances. For patients with United Healthcare or medicaid plans, we discuss out-of-pocket costs and provide paperwork to submit to the insurance company.
Dr. Carniol has extensive experience with EarWell, EarBuddies, and InfantEar. He will examine your baby’s ears and discuss treatment options and benefits of each option.
EarBuddies is a smaller ear molding device than the EarWell. It is excellent for certain, typically more mild, deformities of the ears. However, it is not as comprehensive as the EarWell, which better corrects several deformities. For this reason, EarBuddies (EarBuddy) is considered a cosmetic procedure (out-of-pocket) vs EarWell which is typically covered through insurance.
What happens if we wait too long to start EarWell? If the ear cartilage has already begun to stiffen (usually after 6–8 weeks), the success rate of non-surgical molding decreases. Dr. Carniol has started treatment late for some babies and has had good results. However, early treatment is always preferred to get the best outcome.
What if we are “too late?” If babies come in after the ears are too stiff, we can plan for the future, and discuss what otoplasty (surgical ear deformity correction) involves. Dr. Carniol likes to see patients back annually, monitor the ear progress, and assess if or when the patient is a candidate for otoplasty. Dr. Eric Carniol performs otoplasty for children starting at age 4 in the operating room, and performs the procedure for late teenagers and adults in the office.
Does the EarWell device hurt the baby? No, EarWell is completely painless. It is a non-invasive and involves tape and rubber (silicone). The cradle sits around the ear. Babies will sleep on the device without issue, not norticing it is there.
EarWell is typically billed under the CPT code 21086. Parents can speak with their insurance company to see if this code is covered.
Dr Eric Carniol treats many complex ear deformities.
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Stahl’s Ear (Elf Ear/Spock Ear): A pointed appearance of the upper posterior ear rim.
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Lop Ear (Lid Ear): Where the top of the ear is folded over or constricted.
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Cryptotia: The top of the ear is hidden under the scalp skin.
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Cup Ear: The outer rim seems too short making the ear rim stick out and pull forward.
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Prominent Ears (Prominauris): Ears that protrude more than 2cm from the head.
- Rotated Lobe (Rotated Lobule): The ear lobe seems to stick out.
“I cannot thank Dr. Eric Carniol and his team at Carniol Plastic Surgery enough for their incredible work on my son’s ear imperfection. When my newborn required an ear procedure, I was naturally nervous about finding the right surgeon. From the moment we met Dr. Carniol and his staff were greeted with warmth and compassion and I knew we were in excellent hands… The procedure itself was quick and painless, and my son fell asleep before it was even finished. The results of the procedure are beyond anything we could have hoped for…”
• Sarah Almeida