What Causes Stahl’s Ear? Understanding the Science Behind the Deformity
You are undoubtedly delighted with the arrival of your newborn baby and, as parents ourselves, we well remember the complete and total fascination at each child that entered our lives. Hopefully, all is well with your little one, save a concern about the appearance of the baby’s ears: a small thing, really, but a concern nonetheless if your child’s ears do not appear quite right. That’s where EarWell may offer peace of mind—a gentle solution for parents noticing early signs of ear deformity.
We all know that kids who look “different”—even if it’s just the shape or protrusion of the ears—can suffer from taunts delivered by other children and even well-meaning questions from family friends and relatives who don’t understand that an ear deformity—and comments about that ear deformity—can damage a small child’s self-esteem.
Why EarWell Is the Preferred Choice for Infant Ear Correction
For this reason, and the fact that most parents favor a non-surgical resolution to an ear deformity, (not to mention an ear corrector for babies that is usually covered by insurance), thousands of concerned parents have opted for EarWell, a painless, quick and non-invasive way to remold the shape of an external ear deformity.
There are a variety of newborn ear deformities, such as prominent or protruding ear, cup ear, lopping, lidding, cryptotia and Stahl’s ear deformity. Click this link to see 8 Common Infant Ear Deformities with photos and descriptions.
What is Stahl’s Ear Deformity? Stahl’s Ear Deformity is a congenital (present at birth) external ear deformity that is the result of abnormal development of the ear cartilage when the baby is in the womb. It appears that it most commonly forms between the 6th and 12th weeks of gestation. The ear/s appear pointed at the top; hence, the deformity is sometimes called Spock ears, like Mr. Spock in the TV series, Star Trek.
What Causes Stahl’s Ear? Although the precise cause is unclear, here are some causes of Stahl’s Ear:
DNA: Stahl’s ear, like protruding ears (ears that stick out) often runs in families. This suggests that variations or mutations in the genes exist that affect the formation of the ear cartilage. Scientists have not been able to pinpoint the specific genes, however. Developmental Error: A normal ear has six “auricular hillocks.” In Stahl’s ear deformity, these hillocks fuse incorrectly, (third crus of the antihelix) resulting in an extra cartilage fold that results in the ear being pointed.
Image credit: Ashley Balaker, M.D.
- Random Developmental Error: Many cases occur without a clear genetic or environmental trigger, as part of natural developmental variation.
Stahl’s Ear deformity is not caused by anything the mother has done before or during pregnancy. It is not caused by the baby’s position in the womb. Though Stahl’s ear can be linked to syndromes like Turner or Beckwith-Wiedemann, this is rare, and unlikely to apply to your baby. However, if you are concerned, be sure to specifically ask your pediatrician about Turner and/or Beckwith-Wiedemann syndromes.
Do Babies’ Ears Change as They Grow? Studies suggest that approximately 20% of external infant ear deformities may resolve on their own, specifically those that occur due to the position of the infant in the womb. Therefore, it is not possible for Stahl’s ear to resolve over time without treatment with an ear corrector such as EarWell or with surgery when the child is older.
What Can Be Done for a Baby with Stahl’s Ear? There are several remedies to treat Stahl’s ear deformity, primarily based on the child’s age: ear molding or surgery.
Ear Molding to Treat Stahl’s Ear Deformity EarWell is a nonsurgical method to reshape the cartilage while it’s still soft, generally within the first six weeks after birth, while the newborn still has a high estrogen level from the mother, which dissipates around the 6th week of age.
The EarWell is worn for 2-6 weeks, depending on the severity of the deformity and the age of the baby when treatment is commenced. It is a painless, nonsurgical option that is tolerated well by infants, makes it easy for parents, and is usually covered by health insurance, including Medicaid and military health coverage. See this page on our website that shows the steps involved: The EarWell Simple and Fast Transformation (scroll down on the home page).
Surgical Treatment for Stahl’s Ear Deformity If ear molding with EarWell was unsuccessful or untried because the baby was too old for this nonsurgical option, an otoplasty procedure can be performed when the child is at least 5-6 years old. Performed by a plastic surgeon under general anesthesia, the ears are reshaped by removing excess cartilage to create a more natural ear shape. Recovery involves discomfort and dressings over a healing period of several weeks, including a week off school and activities and several weeks from any type of sport that might affect the surgical site. As with any surgery, there are risks of bleeding, infection, scarring and lopsidedness.
Home Remedies for Stahl’s Ear The internet is full of options for DYI treatment for Stahl’s ear, including taping, which is very inconsistent in terms of results. Some physicians still try taping, but this was primarily used “in the old days,” prior to EarWell’s fantastic results. Headbands are another option with the same problem as taping: inadequate results. Neither taping nor a headband can remodel a Stahl’s ear deformity.
What To Do Now: If you are concerned about the shape of your newborn’s ears, time is of the essence, as the level of estrogen in the baby’s body diminishes quickly, giving you a very small window of opportunity to get in touch with your nearest EarWell physician. Our EarWell providers have been extensively trained in the application of EarWell and have enjoyed over 90% positive results in a very short period of time. Your first visit will give the physician an opportunity to define the problem and give you his/her input as to whether EarWell can help and, if so, approximately how long the treatment period will be (likely 4-6 weeks with changes every 2-3 weeks as the hair and skin grow under the EarWell, making it necessary to change it out).
Your baby will have absolutely no concerns about EarWell: he or she won’t notice it. It’s soft, pliable and painless and the results are permanent. Your child will avoid teasing, bullying and potentially unkind questions from strangers, friends and even family members.
Click EarWell to find physician nearest you. If you have any trouble finding one, or just have questions, call us at 630-357-7374 and we will help you right away.
