A surfer's ear is medically known as exotosis of the external auditory canal. It is a condition which leads to the abnormal growth of the bones found in the ear canal. Excessive exposure to cold causes the problem, and when the bones grow excessively, they block the eardrum, interfering with one's hearing ability. The narrow canal also tends to trap earwax and water, which leads to recurrent ear infections. People who are exposed to extremely cold conditions like surfers are the most susceptible to develop this condition. The most effective solution for a surfer's ear is ear surgery.
How to tell that you have a surfer's ear
Not many people understand why it is referred to as a surfer's ear and not a swimmers or scuba diver's ear. The name is because more surfers suffer from the conditions that any other people who interact with water on a daily basis. It is also believed that surfers develop the condition more often because of the wind-chill and the repeated in and out of water movement. The main symptoms of a surfer's ear include repeated cases of ear infections, easy blocking of the ears and trouble hearing. The best way to get a diagnosis is to visit a GP when you start getting any of these symptoms.
The surgery procedure
The procedure aims to remove the excessive bone growth. The procedure is very delicate because the surgeon will be operating in a space which is very few millimetres in thickness. However, there are new surgery procedures which have been developed which involve approaching the surgery from the ear canal, as opposed to making the incision behind the ear. With the new technique, there is a higher chance of getting reduced noise level and the recovery time is greatly shortened.
How to prevent further hearing loss
If you have a small percentage of hearing loss due to a surfer's ear, it is still possible to prevent further damage to your ears. This can be done by wearing earplugs when you are going surfing. Additionally, you can try surf-wear which includes a hoodie so that the ears can be covered when you are in and out of the water. These are some of the tips which can help you manage a surfer's ear as effectively as possible. It is important to note that use of alcohol drops to clear blocked ears will only be efficient up to a certain point and that the best solution is getting a diagnosis and surgery once the problem has been established.
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