Boost your confidence with perfectly symmetrical shaped ears.
Otoplasty–also known as “ear pinning” surgery–can improve the appearance of large, protruding, misshapen, or overly noticeable ears. The medical term for overly protruding ears is prominauris. Ears can be reshaped, positioned closer to the scalp, or reduced in size. Often a combination of techniques achieves the most natural appearance. Patients love that after their ear pinning procedure, they can wear their hair up without worrying about their ears. Otoplasty is usually performed as an in-office procedure with local anesthesia, and recovery is minimal.
Past ear trauma or your genetics might have you feeling self-conscious about your ears. Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, is a corrective surgical procedure that can improve prominent, misshapen, deformed, or injured ears. Otoplasty is very safe and requires minimal downtime. It can also be performed on children as young as 6, saving them from a childhood of teasing.
We treat an array of cosmetic ear issues in addition to prominauris. If you have a torn earlobe, stretched ear piercing, or gauge that you want closed, we can help. Have your ears changed over time? We’ve also got solutions for lobes that are too long, big, or thin. With an expert’s eye for detail, our physicians can ensure you regain confidence with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
All surgeons at The Spiegel Center in Newton, Massachusetts, are board-certified and have years of experience. Our team has a consistent track record of creating natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing results for their patients, helping make their aesthetic dreams come true. To schedule a consultation about Otoplasty, contact our office today.
Otoplasty can be performed on children as young as 6 years old, since the ear cartilage has largely finished developing by that age, allowing correction of prominent ears before a child starts school and potential teasing begins.
No. Otoplasty reshapes the visible cartilage and structure of the outer ear and does not involve the ear canal or inner ear structures responsible for hearing.
Adults are excellent candidates for otoplasty as well. Many adults choose the procedure later in life once they can decide for themselves, and the results are just as effective regardless of age.
When performed by an experienced surgeon, the goal is a natural-looking correction that is proportionate to the head, avoiding the overly flattened or "pinned" look that can result from more aggressive, less individualized techniques.
Yes. Otoplasty can be customized to address asymmetry between the two ears, whether due to genetics or prior trauma, so that the ears appear more balanced.
Otoplasty can be performed on one or both ears, depending on the patient's concerns. Many patients choose to treat both ears at once for the most balanced, symmetrical outcome.
Otoplasty results are considered permanent, since the cartilage is surgically reshaped and secured in its new position rather than only temporarily adjusted.
Yes. In addition to prominent ears, otoplasty techniques can reconstruct or reshape ears affected by past injury, helping restore a more natural, symmetrical appearance.
Yes, patients are generally advised to sleep on their backs and avoid pressure on the ears while wearing a protective headband during the initial healing period to protect the results.
Risks include infection, bleeding, and temporary numbness in the ear. Less common risks include asymmetry between the two ears, overcorrection that leaves the ears looking too flat or "pinned," or a need for minor revision if cartilage shifts during healing.
Source: RealSelf, Steve G, 05/28/2026
I found Dr. Tower through RealSelf which helped me find a provider in Boston with otoplasty reviews. I was hoping to find someone who had explicit experience in dozens of otoplasties a year, so was using surgery review counts here as a proxy. So, I wanted to contribute back! Carole at the Spiegel Center was my coordinator and she was great in walking me through the process. I had a virtual consult with Dr. Tower first, an in-person consult, and then they were able to fit me in within a week or so for surgery before having to travel abroad. The procedure was done with local anesthesia and took an hour or two. Dr. Tower was very collaborative and thoughtful. After several weeks of healing, we decided to make a small tweak (a personal preference), which Dr. Tower was very flexible and accommodating of. I can't stress enough how collaborative the experience was - we worked as a team to get the best outcome! He did an incredible job and my ears look really great. Would 100% recommend to anyone who is looking for a thoughtful and collaborative otoplasty provider in Boston who genuinly cares about both achieving a great aesthetic outcome and one you're fully happy with!
Source: Yelp, Jill W., 12/25/2025
I highly recommend this practice and Dr. Jacob Tower in particular if you're thinking of getting an otoplasty. I had wanted one all of my life but had never wanted to deal with the pain and long term recovery period that it used to entail. After many years of research I found the method I thought I wanted, and one meeting with Dr. Tower convinced me. Best decision ever. The surgery took 2 hours total including time to numb up. We were so busy chatting away that I barely thought about what was happening to me. Virtually painless. I barely even needed any pain meds and all pretty much healed in a week and a half. The hardest part was sleeping on my back for a week The best part is that my results are exactly what I had hoped for . Thank you to Dr. Tower, and to wonderful Uzma for coordinating my patient experience.
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