A middle ear prosthesis comprises a member adapted to supplement an ossicular bone when implanted in an ear. An anatomically conforming structure is secured to the member comprising an upper arcuate portion and a lower arcuate portion, each having near and distal ends. A crimp assist portion is connected to the near ends of the upper and lower arcuate portions so that the upper and lower arcuate portions generally define portions of a circle for partially surrounding a bone. The crimp assist portion extends outside of the circle. The crimp assist portion is of a crimpable metal capable of retaining different shapes so that the crimp assist portion can be crimped to close the structure around the bone without crimping within the circle.