Call your health care provider if:

Call if you notice abnormally shaped or positioned ears.

In most cases, pinna abnormalities are found by a health care provider during the first well baby exam. This exam is usually performed at the hospital, if that is where the baby is delivered.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The doctor will ask medical history questions such as:

• Does the child have any other physical abnormalities?
• Do you have a family history of having abnormal-shaped ears?

To determine if the pinna is abnormal, the doctor will conduct a series of measurements with a tape measure. Other parts of the body will be also measured, including the eyes, hands, and feet.

All newborns should have a hearing test. A child with pinna abnormalities should also have a hearing test. Examination for any mental development changes may be performed as the child grows. Genetic testing may also be done.

No treatment is needed for pinna abnormalities, as they do not affect the hearing. However, sometimes cosmetic surgery is recommended.