"Honestly, people really don't know it's artificial," said Nelson, whose injuries three years ago included third-degree burns, a skull fracture and broken jaw. "In casual social interactions, I see much smaller cases where people stare."
The 37-year-old Army mechanic from Evergreen, Colo. has already undergone 43 surgeries to heal his wounds and burns.
But of his new ears, Nelson is optimistic. "I do feel like I have the best-looking one ever made," he said.
Then he smiled.