Charlotte

Living with a missing ear posed physical challenges in my daily life. However, receiving a specialist custom-made prosthetic ear has been a transformative experience, vastly improving my quality of life.

The journey began with the incredible professionals, Sarah and Hannah who crafted my prosthetic. From the outset, their dedication was evident. They took the time to listen to my concerns, understand my needs, and involve me in every step of the process. Their skill and artistry were remarkable, ensuring that the prosthetic would be as realistic and functional as possible.

Constructing my new ear required visiting the team on three separate occasions. The first visit involved taking measurements of my existing ear, taking a mould using a silicon paste of the shape of my existing ear so the team had a reference point. We also tested a new piece of technology which used three reference points on my face to scan my head and ear to take a 3D impression.

The second visit was very exciting as the team had crafted an ear from wax using the moulds and 3D impression taken from our first meeting. The team were using my existing ear to match up against the wax ear, modelling and shaping the wax ear to make it a perfect replication of my ear. The team then created several colours to match my skin tone. One of the highlights of this process was the meticulous approach to skin colouring. Using advanced techniques and paying close attention to detail, the team created a perfect match to my natural skin tone. I was astounded to see the number of different colours and fibres used to give texture and make it more authentic by replicating ‘veins and vessels on my ear.

They considered every nuance—shades, undertones, and even the small imperfections that make skin appear authentic such as freckles and shadowing in the creases of the ear. This precision allowed the prosthetic to blend seamlessly, making it indistinguishable that it was in fact not my original natural ear.

When the team and I were happy, they used the wax ear to create the actual ear in silicone. The third visit was to check the colour tone and to help me fit and remove the ear. The team ensured that the ear was comfortable and secure, tailoring it to fit perfectly. This attention to detail meant I could wear it with ease during all my daily activities, whether I was at work, socialising, walking the dog or out for the day.

The silicone ear needs to be fitted (and removed) in a particular way to ensure it sits correctly. The team assisted with testing different adhesives and we also trialled a skin prep wipe too which really helped with the adhesion of the glue when fitting. Something that people with a ‘normal’ ear wouldn’t even think of, for things like eating, you wouldn’t realise the side of your face moves quite a bit, which with a prosthetic stick-on ear you must think about. There is nothing worse than going out for dinner with friends and you can feel the adhesive starting to peel and the ear starting to come off, so it needs to be secure!

The benefits of my prosthetic ear are immeasurable. It has significantly boosted my confidence, allowing me to engage more openly with others without feeling self-conscious. My new ear has helped with physical issues too, other things you wouldn’t even consider such as wearing glasses and improving my hearing slightly on that side.

This would not have been possible without the expertise, patience, and care of the team, specifically Sarah and Hannah. I’m incredibly grateful to the team for their skill and dedication to make this possible. Thank you.