While some ear malformations at birth may resolve on their own, others may need more advanced treatment to correct structural irregularities. These conditions can affect about 20 to 35 percent of all births.1 With the help of early intervention, common ear shape irregularities and ear deformities in newborn babies can be corrected to help avoid the potential necessity of more invasive surgery later on in the child’s life. As one of the few doctors in the Sacramento area to provide the EarWell ear molding device for infants, board-certified plastic surgeon Amie Miller, MD is proud to offer this non-surgical ear correction treatment.
EarWell at a Glance
- Potential Benefits: Improvement of a wide range of cosmetic ear shape irregularities without the need for surgery, needles, or anesthesia
- Candidates: Ideally, infants who are less than three weeks old with ear deformation
- Procedure: Ear molding device is placed for an average of 4 to 6 weeks to gradually reshape cartilage
- Results: Approximately 98 percent success rate for ideal candidates2
- Surgeon: Dr. Miller was personally trained by the inventor of EarWell, Dr. Steve Byrd, and is one of the only doctors in the area to offer this solution
Explore Topics on This Page
- EarWell Device for Infant Ear Molding
- Common Ear Deformities Treatable With EarWell
- What Makes Early EarWell Treatment So Important?
- Candidates for the EarWell System
- EarWell Treatment Process
- Results of EarWell Treatment
- EarWell Cost
- Why Families Travel to Dr. Miller for EarWell Infant Ear Molding
- Supporting Out-of-Town Parents
- Key Takeaways
What Is the EarWell Device for Infant Ear Molding?
EarWell Infant Ear Correction is a non-surgical ear molding device approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reshape ear cartilage and resolve common ear deformities in infants. Generally, EarWell patients need to be young enough for the cartilage to be pliable and the device must be worn for the entire treatment process. This innovative solution offers a safe, comfortable option that can be completed over several weeks to correct an infant’s ear anatomy.
Common Ear Deformities Treatable With EarWell
EarWell is designed to address a range of shape-related deformities involving the helical rim, antihelical fold, conchal bowl, and overall ear projection. These may include:
- Asymmetrical ear shape between the left and right ear
- Constriction of the upper or mid-ear that creates a pinched appearance
- Partial folding of cartilage leading to a collapsed contour
- Ear prominence that becomes noticeable as the infant grows
Even subtle irregularities can become more pronounced over time. EarWell provides an opportunity to gently guide cartilage into a more natural contour before surgical intervention becomes the only option.
What Makes Early EarWell Treatment So Important?
Newborn ear cartilage is highly flexible due to maternal estrogen levels present during the first weeks of life. This temporary softness allows the EarWell device to reshape the ear with consistent, gentle support. By the time a baby reaches one to two months old, the cartilage begins to firm significantly, reducing the potential success of non-surgical molding.
Because this biological window is short, we encourage parents to contact our office as soon as possible when they first notice an irregular ear shape. Our team prioritizes EarWell appointments to ensure that infants can be evaluated and, if appropriate, begin treatment without delay.
Is My Child a Candidate for the EarWell System?
Over the many EarWell molding treatments Dr. Miller has performed, she finds that ideal candidates should begin the procedure before turning three weeks old. Signs that your child may benefit from EarWell infant ear molding include:
- The infant’s cartilage is soft and pliable
- You prefer to avoid potential corrective ear surgery (otoplasty) in the future
- The child has ear shape irregularities that are not self-corrected after one week, such as:
- Ears that extend more than 2 cm from the side of the head (Protruding Ear)
- A point at the top of the ear (Stahl’s Ear)
- Flattening on the upper ear rim (Helical Rim)
- The upper ear is partially hidden within the side of the head (Cryptotia)
- The upper ear is significantly folded over (Lidding or Lop Ear)
- Part of the upper ear appears wrinkled, rolled, or folded down (Cup or Constricted Ear)
- Upper ear cartilage is folded over, dividing the top portion of the ear in half (Conchal Crus Ear)
- Any combination of these deformities (Mixed Ear)
Although it is best to begin ear molding therapy as soon as possible, Dr. Miller can evaluate your child’s ears to determine if EarWell or an alternative solution would best meet their needs.
What Does the EarWell Treatment Process Involve?
To begin, the FDA-approved EarWell device is placed on the front and back of the infant’s ear and secured with adhesive, which requires a portion of the ear area to be shaved prior to treatment. The process of application is designed to be painless, without requiring any needles or anesthesia, and your child should not feel any discomfort. Inside the device are custom molds designed to reshape each ear individually, and additional putty may be implemented if needed. On average, the EarWell treatment process takes about four to six weeks to complete. Dr. Miller will monitor the restructuring progress to ensure optimal treatment is achieved.
What Can I Expect from the Results of EarWell Treatment?
Clinical studies have shown a 98 percent success rate for infants with ear deformations that begin the EarWell treatment within three weeks of birth.3 Overall, the positive long-term effects of treatment can help children avoid feelings of embarrassment or self-consciousness due to ear shape irregularities.
How Much Does the EarWell Cost?
At Foothills Plastic Surgery, the cost of the EarWell Infant Ear Correction System ranges from approximately $3,500 to $5,000, depending on whether one or two ears are being treated; however, more specific pricing will be based on the individual needs of the patient. After a consultation with Dr. Miller, our team will be able to provide a cost estimate based on the unique treatment plan for your child. We work with reputable third-party healthcare lenders that can provide financing for qualified applicants and payment plans that can help make the treatment more affordable.
Supporting Out-of-Town Parents
We frequently assist families who travel long distances for EarWell care. Once treatment begins, follow-up visits are typically spaced in predictable intervals—often every one to two weeks—allowing parents to plan their schedules efficiently. Many families combine visits with other errands in the Sacramento and El Dorado Hills area or schedule appointments first thing in the morning to minimize time away from home.
Our goal is to provide compassionate, reliable care so that travel never becomes a barrier to treatment. If you are seeking EarWell therapy from outside the immediate region, our staff is happy to discuss scheduling, directions, and any accommodations that may help make your experience as smooth as possible.
Key Takeaways
EarWell offers a gentle, non-surgical way to correct newborn ear shape irregularities when treatment begins within the first weeks of life. As one of the few providers in the Sacramento region offering this specialized therapy, Dr. Miller treats families from across Northern California and Northern Nevada seeking timely, expert care. With a high success rate and a streamlined treatment process, EarWell can help many infants achieve natural ear contours without the need for future surgery.
Contact Us
To find out more about EarWell treatment, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, please contact our office today.
Medical References:
1 EarWell
2 EarWell FAQs
3 National Center for Biotechnology Information