Surfers Ear / Exostoses

Surfers ear, also called ear canal exostoses, results from cold-water exposure from any water sport or occupation (including surfing, sea-swimming, deep-sea diving, sailing and sea-fishing). Bony growths slowly grow to block both ear canals, which can lead to water-trapping, infection, pain, ear discharge, wax build-up, hearing loss and tinnitus. When patients are experiencing symptoms it may be suggested to consider surgery to remove the bony growths, which is done under a general anaesthetic (bony canaloplasty).

Mrs Lambert undertakes this procedure in the Duchy Hospital, using primarily the chisel method. Patients are assessed in clinic and will need a hearing test prior to proceeding with surgery. The surgery is undertaken on one ear at a time, and takes approximately 2-3 hours. The recovery may be 1-2 weeks, and there will be packing in the ear for 2 weeks after the surgery to help the canal heal. The ear must be kept dry (i.e no water sports/swimming) for 6 weeks after the surgery to allow the delicate ear canal skin to heal fully.

It is important for all those that undertake cold-water sports to wear well-fitting ear plugs to prevent ear canal exostoses from developing. Patients will need to wear ear-plugs after the surgery to prevent recurrence of the bony growths.