One treatment option for cryptotia is ear molding, a non-surgical treatment option that may help avoid the need for surgery. This treatment utilizes an external device that shapes and stretches the upper portion of the ear. Unlike many other congenital ear deformities, which are most effectively treated in the first few weeks of life when the ears are soft and moldable, cryptotia may be effectively treated with ear molding well beyond the neonatal period. In some cases, successful non-operative correction of cryptotia has been reported even up to 5 years of age. This success may be possible because these ears already have a normal cartilage framework and primarily require skin expansion to cover the embedded cartilage.