Ear Molding Therapy: Laypersons’ Perceptions, Preferences, and Satisfaction with Treatment Outcome
BACKGROUND:This study investigates laypersons’ perceptions of congenital ear deformities and preferences for treatment, particularly with ear molding therapy—an effective, noninvasive, yet time-sensitive treatment. METHODS:Laypersons were recruited via crowdsourcing to view photographs of normal ear...
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Published in | Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open Vol. 8; no. 7; p. e2902 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Copyright The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All rights reserved
01.07.2020
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Wolters Kluwer |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | BACKGROUND:This study investigates laypersons’ perceptions of congenital ear deformities and preferences for treatment, particularly with ear molding therapy—an effective, noninvasive, yet time-sensitive treatment.
METHODS:Laypersons were recruited via crowdsourcing to view photographs of normal ears or one of the following ear deformities, pre- and post-moldingconstricted, cryptotia, cupped/lopped, helical rim deformity, prominent, and Stahl. Participants answered questions regarding perceptions and treatment preferences for the ear. Statistical analyses included multiple linear and logistic regressions and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.
RESULTS:A total of 983 individuals participated in the study. All deformities were perceived as significantly abnormal, likely to impair hearing, and associated with lower psychosocial quality of life (all P < 0.001). For all deformities, participants were likely to choose ear molding over surgery despite the logistical and financial implications of ear molding (all P < 0.02). Participants were significantly more satisfied with the outcome of ear molding in all deformities compared with control, except constricted ears (all P < 0.002, except Pconstricted = 0.073). Concern for hearing impairment due to ear deformity was associated with increased likelihoods of seeing a physician (P < 0.001) and choosing ear molding despite treatment logistics and costs (all P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:Laypersons perceived all ear deformities as abnormal and associated with low psychosocial quality of life. Despite logistical and financial implications, laypersons generally desired molding therapy for ear deformities; treatment outcomes were satisfactory for all deformities except constricted ears. Timely diagnosis of this condition is crucial to reaping the benefits of ear molding therapy. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 2169-7574 2169-7574 |
DOI: | 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002902 |