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Bendy silicone splints can be used to correct the growth of babies' ears. Marcella McEvoy reports About five per cent of people in the UK have prominent or 'sticking out' ears. While they do not cause any physical problems they can sometimes cause teasing and low self-esteem in children. According to consultant plastic surgeon, Mr David Gault, at Great Ormond Street and Mount Vernon Hospital, 'If you have prominent ears people sometimes consider you to be less intelligent. It's all subconscious and subliminal stuff and you have two options - psychotherapy, or you change the shape of the ears.' But now, the surgeon has devised a technique to correct the condition that avoids the need for surgery.

About five per cent of people in the UK have prominent or 'sticking out' ears. While they do not cause any physical problems they can sometimes cause teasing and low self-esteem in children. According to consultant plastic surgeon, Mr David Gault, at Great Ormond Street and Mount Vernon Hospital, 'If you have prominent ears people sometimes consider you to be less intelligent. It's all subconscious and subliminal stuff and you have two options - psychotherapy, or you change the shape of the ears.' But now, the surgeon has devised a technique to correct the condition that avoids the need for surgery.

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