Question:
I am the parent of a child who I believe is a good candidate for otoplasty. How big is the risk, if any, is there for hearing impairment as a result of this procedure?
Answer:
The risk of hearing impairment from otoplasty is nearly zero. Of course the risk is never zero, but it is so unlikely that there may not be any published reports of that complication. The external ear provides little to no actual sound amplification and changing the orientation of the external ear does not hinder it in any way.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham