Surgery that reshapes or repositions prominent ears closer to the head, commonly performed on children but equally effective in adults. Compare Washington clinics below and request a free consultation.
$3,500–$8,000
per procedure · USD
A general range for Washington, rounded for guidance. Confirm exact pricing with each clinic.
Plastic surgeons in Washington who list otoplasty among their procedures. Tap any surgeon to view details and request a consultation.
Washington
Financing available
Congressional Plastic Surgery | Christopher C. Chang, M.D. is a plastic surgery practice in Washington, District of Columbia, rated 5 stars across 347 Google reviews, performing 23 tracked procedures.
Washington
Washington Women Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in Washington, District of Columbia, rated 4.9 stars across 105 Google reviews, performing 15 tracked procedures.
Washington
Capital Facial Plastic Surgery: Adam Singleton, MD is a plastic surgery practice in Washington, District of Columbia, rated 5 stars across 103 Google reviews, performing 10 tracked procedures.
Washington
Samir S. Rao, MD is a plastic surgery practice in Washington, District of Columbia, rated 4.9 stars across 74 Google reviews, performing 20 tracked procedures.
Washington
Financing available
Davinci Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in Washington, District of Columbia, rated 4.8 stars across 371 Google reviews, performing 22 tracked procedures.
Washington
Somenek + Pittman MD - Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in Washington, District of Columbia, rated 4.7 stars across 183 Google reviews, performing 23 tracked procedures.
Washington
M.R. Khalifeh, MD is a plastic surgery practice in Washington, District of Columbia, rated 4.8 stars across 174 Google reviews, performing 24 tracked procedures.
Washington
Ariel N Rad, MD, PhD, FACS is a plastic surgery practice in Washington, District of Columbia, rated 4.7 stars across 101 Google reviews, performing 14 tracked procedures.
Surgery that reshapes or repositions prominent ears closer to the head, commonly performed on children but equally effective in adults.
One procedure, permanent
1 week off work or school, headband worn at night for several weeks
Children from about age five, once ear growth is largely complete, and adults of any age bothered by prominent or asymmetric ears
15 plastic surgery practices in the Washington area list otoplasty. From Google Places listings; hours and locations change, so confirm with the practice.
What 12 Washington practices that list otoplasty say on their own websites (checked September 2026); one that does not mention something may still offer it, so ask at your consultation.
During otoplasty, our surgeons typically make incisions behind the ear, allowing access to the cartilage for manipulation.
There is little downtime associated with otoplasty recovery.
Otoplasty is generally considered a very safe and effective surgery. Only the external aspect of the ear is altered. There is no risk to your hearing.
Otoplasty, also known as ear surgery or ear pinning, is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia.
Ear surgery can be performed at any age, provided the ears have reached their full growth, which usually occurs by approximately six years of age.
Ear pinning is designed to help individuals who have prominent ears that stick out. It is not meant to treat other genetic defects
Most patients will see the final results of their otoplasty within six months to a year after the procedure.
Many parents arrange this surgery for children who have protruding ears, as an otoplasty can make their youthful years free from embarrassment or teasing from other children.
Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning, is a surgical procedure performed to enhance the appearance of the ears. Through manipulation of cartilage, placing of sutures, and removal of excess skin and/or cartilage, the ears are brought closer to the head in this procedure.
Patients rarely complain of pain after their ear surgery in Washington DC, although they may experience a sense of throbbing.
Otoplasty generally runs $3,500–$8,000 per procedure, and each Washington clinic sets its own price. The biggest variables are the provider's experience level and the specific device or product used. Newer technology and senior injectors price at the upper end. Pricing is quoted in US dollars (USD). Request a consultation from any of our listed Washington clinics for a personalized quote.
Maintenance schedules vary. Most Washington providers recommend periodic refresh sessions every 6–12 months once optimal results are achieved.
Most patients wait 24 hours before applying makeup to avoid irritation on freshly-treated skin.
Ears reach close to adult size by about age five or six, which is when surgeons will typically consider it. Many families choose to do it before a child starts school, or early in school years if teasing has begun. There is no upper limit, and plenty of adults have it done having lived with prominent ears for decades. For children, most surgeons want the child to want it too, not just the parents.
Behind the ear, in the crease where the ear meets the head, which makes them essentially invisible in normal life. Some techniques use a small amount of cartilage scoring from the front, but the standard approach keeps everything behind. This is one of the few operations where scar placement is genuinely not a concern.
Sometimes for children, particularly when there is documented psychological impact from teasing, and policies vary widely. It is generally considered cosmetic for adults. It is worth having the surgeon's office check, because coverage for pediatric otoplasty is more common than people assume.
Partial relapse happens in a minority of cases, usually within the first year, and is more likely when the correction relied only on stitches rather than reshaping the cartilage itself. Wearing the protective headband as directed during early healing meaningfully reduces the risk. Revision is possible when relapse occurs.
For newborns in roughly the first few weeks of life, ear molding systems can reshape cartilage while it is still soft from maternal hormones, avoiding surgery entirely. That window is very short and closes within the first couple of months. After that, surgery is the option. Parents who notice prominent ears in a newborn should ask about molding immediately rather than waiting.
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