OVERVIEW OF JUG EARS
The colloquial term of protruding ears, also known as jug ears, means that doctors understand a malformation of the ears. These protrude clearly from the head to a degree that does not correspond to the norm. However, this does not affect hearing.
What Are Jug Ears?
Protruding ears or jug ears indicate a malformation of the auricles. Officially, jug ears are present when the distance between one or both auricles and the head is more than 2 cm. If the auricles protrude at an angle of more than 30°, this is also classified as protruding ears.
Experts speak of dysplasia (malformation) of the first degree. The person's hearing or sense of balance is not affected by the protruding ears; under certain circumstances, however, it can lead to mental stress due to clear optical characteristics. Treatment of the protruding ears is only possible surgically.
Causes Of Jug Ears
The direct causes of protruding ears are either a lack of formation of the antihelix (the main fold of the auricle) or a generally too large auricle. In some cases, there is a combination of both factors.
The malformation occurs due to genetic conditions that are inherited from parents to their children. If protruding ears have already occurred several times within a family, there is a relatively high probability that newborn children will also be affected.
However, protruding ears are not always inherited in the same way. The exact reasons for the occurrence of the malformation are not yet known.
Diagnosis And Course Of Protruding Ears
In the case of jug ears, the doctor treating you can often make a diagnosis based on the mere appearance. To support the diagnosis, measurements can be taken that can confirm the presence of a malformation.
Either the angle between the auricle and the head is measured (this should be between 20 and 30°) or the distance between the auricle and the head is. If this measurement results in a distance of more than 2 cm, according to the medical definition, jug ears are present. Protruding ears are harmless and have an impact on the hearing ability or the physical health of the person concerned.
However, since teasing can occur, especially in childhood, psychological problems such as inferiority complexes or even depression can arise. For this reason, surgical treatment is often considered.
Treatment And Therapy Of Protruding Ears
Protruding ears can only be treated surgically; one speaks of the so-called "big ears" (in the technical jargon called otopexy). A not infrequent attempt to "glue" or "tie" the ears on in early childhood does not show the desired success.
Surgical interventions, on the other hand, generally show good results. In most cases, the operation is already carried out in childhood to protect the affected person from teasing as early as possible. There are various surgical techniques, most of which are performed from the back of the ear. The procedures are performed under general anesthesia (local anesthesia may also be possible in adults).
With the thread method, the auricle is fixed with permanent plastic threads. In most cases, however, the ear cartilage is exposed and then brought into a position that corresponds to the optical norm. After the surgical procedure, the affected person has to wear a fixed head bandage for about two weeks. If the operation is performed on children under the age of 14, the health insurance companies will usually cover the costs of the procedure.
Under certain circumstances, the ears can protrude again in adulthood, which would make another operation necessary. However, if the operation is carried out correctly and there are no complications, the pinching of the ears is successful in most cases.
Prevention Of Jug Ears
Since protruding ears are genetic and inherited, prevention is not possible. Only subsequent surgical treatment can be carried out. protruding ears are indeed an optical problem for many of those affected; however, they do not endanger health or hearing. Whether treatment should take place is therefore entirely at the discretion of those affected themselves or their parents. Many people stand by their protruding ears and do not experience any impairments in their daily lives.