What is Surfers Ear ? And how can Ear Plugs Help

Unfortunately, the down side of spending a lot of time in Cold water or being exposed to wind is Surfers Ear [Exostosis].  Exostosis is the medical term for an abnormal growth of bone within the ear canal.

In colder water and prevailing wind conditions Surfers Ear becomes more common, the combination of wet skin layers and wind produces a refrigeration effect within the ear promoting blood to flow to the affected area resulting in the layering down of new bony growth (exostoses) which ultimately narrows the ear canal.

The condition is not limited to surfing and can occur in any activity with cold, wet, windy conditions such as Windsurfing, Stand Up Paddle boarding, Kayaking, Sailing, Jet skiing, Kitesurfing, and Diving

When your ear canal gets narrower due to the exostosis, it’s harder for the water to get out once it’s in your ears. Which can lead to ear infections.  If you experience water stuck in your ears after a surf session, it might be that you are developing surfer’s ear.

See diagram at: https://surfears.com/surfers-ear/

How Common is Surfers Ear?

Cold Water surfers are 6 times more likely to get Surfers Ear than warm water surfers. (1) 

A study conducted on surfers in Cornwall UK (where water temperatures are 7C in winter, a warm summer may get up to 18C) showed, “The prevalence of external auditory canal exostosis was 63.81 per cent (33.33 per cent mild, 18.10 per cent moderate and 12.38 per cent severe). The degree of exostosis showed a significant correlation with absolute cold-water exposure time. However, there was individual variation in susceptibility to external auditory canal exostosis; 12 per cent of surfers with excessive cold-water exposure showed no exostosis. (2) 
 

Surgery 

If the exostosis becomes severe, the only way to have it removed is by surgery, where the extra bones get drilled or chiselled out. It’s not the most pleasant procedure to go through. 

For one, it will keep you out of the water for some time, and once it’s done it doesn’t prevent bone from growing back again. 

Surgery is the last option, but there are proven ways to be prevented. 
 

Protection by Wearing Ear Plugs 

By wearing ear plugs you can protect your ears from the elements.  

Unfortunately, when we wear some ear plugs we reduce the ability to hear, which may be an issue in a busy surf location. 

One earplug that ASI Trainer, Paul Byrne, from Ireland has been using for years, not only keeps the water out but it also lets sound in. They are called Surfears.

If you want to avoid the risk of surfers ear when surfing in cold water, start to protect your ears now. 
https://vimeo.com/301814455

What is Surfer's Ear (Exostosis)? from SurfEars on Vimeo.

 

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References
Surfears https://surfears.com/

Photo : Surfears  

(1).UCI Health.  https://www.ucihealth.org/medical-services/ear-nose-throat-ent/hearing-ear-disorders/surfers-ear#

(2).  Prevalence of 'surfer's ear' in Cornish surfers (16 March 2015) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25772761/