The prosthetic ears we make at S.E.E. Prosthetics can be made to partially or fully reconstruct lost ear anatomy. Such reconstruction may be opted for following a variety of circumstances, including accidents, burns, cancer or congenital abnormality. A prosthetic ear can restore symmetry and aesthetics to a high degree of realism.
Whether you are interested in our prosthetic services or are looking for information prosthetic ears in general, we have here some basic answers to some frequently asked questions about prosthetic ears.
Why choose prosthetic reconstruction over surgical reconstruction?
More often than not, surgical reconstruction of the ear does not achieve a realistic appearance, even after many painful operations and revisions. There is also a relatively high risk of ultimate failure. The size, shape, and colour fall short of expectations. Prostheses can be made to perfectly match the contralateral ear (if present), or can be designed to the patient’s liking from scratch or copying those of a family member if no ears are present. They are made to the highest level of realism possible using a combination of handcrafting and digital design techniques. No surgery is required beforehand and they can be made to incorporate any existing ear remnant present. Finally, prostheses are removable and can be redesigned and remade whenever the individual requires or desires.
How is the ear attached?
Our prosthetic ears can be attached with a medical grade prosthetic adhesive or by magnets or bar and clip attachment on osseointegrated implants. Adhesives are strong and can keep the prosthesis on all day. The adhesive must be cleaned of using a remover at the end of each day and before applying more. At S.E.E. Prosthetics we do not place implants, but we do work with implants that have already been placed, ad can replace magnets or bars as required.
Does a prosthetic ear help a person’s hearing?
If the internal structure of the ear do not function or are not present, the prosthetic ear will not improve hearing. However, a prosthetic ear may help direct sound waves into the auditory canal, which have been shown to increase hearing approximately 20% in patients that present with function in their middle and inner ear.
What are the psychosocial benefits of a prosthetic ear?
The prosthetic ear is a highly realistic device that restores symmetry and masks acquired or congenital abnormalities of the external ear structures. This can often serve as a great psychological benefit, contributing to a patient’s mental, physical, and social well being, by masking the area and diverting attention away for both the patient and other they come into contact with. It can help a patient stop fixating on their visible difference and focus their attention of other daily talks and socialising more comfortably.
Can you wear the ear to bed?
Whilst it is possible, it is not recommended, as the underlying skin should be allowed to breath. Furthermore, the more the prosthesis is worn and contacted (laid on, knocked etc.), the more quickly it is likely to become worn out or damaged. No, the prosthetic ear that is held in place with the medical grade adhesive has to be taken off before bedtime to allow the sensitive skin tissue time to breathe.
How long will the ear last?
This will depend on the individual’s wear regimen, cleaning and socials habits as well as developmental age. For an adult, the prosthetic ear can last anywhere from 1.5 to 5 years. Factors that can shorten the life of a prosthesis:
- High wear and tear- e.g. worn continuously, heavy-handed with placement, removal and cleaning etc.
- Environment- often gets dirty, subjected to dust,
- Sunlight- can discolour the prosthesis if subjected to too much UV
- Salty and chlorinated water- Chlorine may bleach the prosthesis, whilst salty water may impact the physical properties of the ear. It is best not to risk exposing the ears to these.
- Adhesive and remover- Adhesive-retained prostheses may not last as long if adhesive is heavily applied and cleaning is not adequate or is heavy on solvent use. These types of prostheses are more likely to become discoloured and their featheredges torn. Taking special care with adhesives and remover will make the ear last longer.
- Implants- if a patient uses implants, being rough with placement and removal may result in tearing or other damage around the magnets or clip attachments.
- For a child 5 years old or over, it is likely they will grow out of the ear within 2 to 3 years depending on rate of growth.
In conclusion, prosthetic ears do wear out and will have to be replaced when they do. However, the rate at which they wear out depends on a person’s situation and lifestyle.
Where can I get adhesive and remover from?
We will provide the first pot of adhesive as a part of your treatment. However, the type of adhesive we offer is also available on prescription. You can therefore request that your GP write a prescription for this and your pharmacy can order it in for you. The remover is not available on prescription at present, but can be ordered from the manufacturer directly. We can also help signpost you to alternative adhesives and remover should you wish.
For answers to different questions or to book a consultation, visit https://seeprosthetics.co.uk, get in touch by emailing seeprosthetics@outlook.com, or by Whatsapp on +447889831543. We will be happy to help!
Other relevant blog posts:
The benefits of a prosthetic ear for your child
An overview of our silicone prostheses-Facial, body and breast
An overview of facial prosthetics
