Individuals who suffer from protruding ears, large or deformed ear lobes, ears tipped down and forward, cupped ears, or ear structures with either too much or too little cartilage, can be treated with a surgical procedure known as ear pinning or otoplasty. The procedure is commonly performed on younger patients, but is also successful with adults. Advances in medical technology have even allowed surgeons the ability to create new ear structures for patients who are missing all or part of their outer ears.