Exostosis commonly known as surfers ear, is a condition where the ear canal produces multiple bony growths that overtime can cause partial and/or full obstruction of the ear canal.
Who is most at risk of producing Surfers Ear (Exostosis) ?
Cold water surfers are six times more likely than warm water surfers to suffer from this condition and quite common to New Zealand surfers due to our cold water and windy environment.
What Causes Surfers Ear?
The bony growths production within the ear canal are triggered by long term exposure of cold wind and cold water; from many water sports including surfing, Kite surfing, swimming, sailing, water skiing. It is said that the body’s defence mechanism is why it produces these bony growths to protect the ear drum. Over time these bony lumps can grow and multiply obstructing the ear canal and progressively reducing a person’s hearing loss.
Furthermore, due to the blockage the ear canal is more at risk of ear infections due to water and debris being trapped behind the bony growths and thereby, producing a moist warm breeding ground for bacteria to grow.
Symptoms of Surfers Ear
- The presence of water stuck in your ear canal after swimming or surfing
- A feeling of fullness in your ear
- Recurring ear infections
- Reduced hearing – late sign
What can you do to prevent Surfer’s ear or stop it increasing?
- Keep water out of your ear by using:
- Ear plugs – such as Seki Aquatic plugs, Surf ears, Docs Pro plugs. Pick for the ones that work for you. Some earplugs let sound in but keep water out. You can get ear plugs that are moulded to your ear, by certain Audiologists
- Pick the ones that are specifically moulded to your ear. You can use bluetack making a mould of your ear entrance if you replace it each time and do not push it into the ear
- Keep your ear canal warm and dry during surfing and afterwards
- Hoods such as neoprene to protect cold water exposure or wind getting into your ears, or swim caps if swimming
- Ear drops – Use eardrops such as Vosol to reduce the moisture, dry and acidifies the ear canal to help reduce the risk of ear canal infections. (Vosol is at the moment very hard to get). Macks-dry-clear ear drops, Dry ear or Audiosol are others. However, be sure that the ear drops you do pick aren’t too high in alcohol. High alcohol content will make the skin too dry and may cause infections. Do not use ear drops if you have or suspect you have an ear drum perforation
- Regular ear cleaning: help your ears by making time to get your ears cleaned of wax and dead skin (keratin) every 6-12 months)
- Blow dryer – A blow dryer can do magic too. After surfing, put the hairdryer in its lowest setting. Move it back and forth over your ear to help dry up the water. Be careful not to burn your ear.
- Monitor for signs of infection: Seek medical review asap if you feel you are developing an infection i.e., pain, swelling, blocked feeling or unusual itching
When is surgical intervention needed?
Surgical treatment is necessary when the exostoses are symptomatic with water trapping or ear infections and not manageable with ear drops and or ear plugs.
Treatment involves the delicate procedure of either chiselling or drilling out the bone – and surfers will have to stay out of the water for up to six weeks while the ear heals. If the ears have been subjected to repeated infections, then there may be a risk of more serious hearing loss. There is also a risk of the exostoses returning if you do not use preventive measures afterwards.
