The prevalence of exostoses in the external auditory meatus of surfers

Abstract

Fifty-four surfers and 38 surf life savers were examined and questioned in order to determine the prevalence of exostoses. Seventy-three per cent had evidence of body exostoses in the external auditory meatus. Forty per cent had their ear canals narrowed by 50% or more. The relationship between the number of years spent surfing or life saving and the extent of canal stenosis was highly significant (P < 0.00001). Left and right ears were affected equally in this series and the obstruction appears to begin after approximately 7 years and is further aggravated by continued surfing. Over 90% of subjects who had participated for longer than 10 years had some evidence of exostoses. There was no significant association between the number of days per year or the number of hours per day spent surfing and the development of surfer's ear in this sample. Those who participated in their water sport over winter had significantly more exostoses than those who did not (P < 0.0001). Those who lived in the South Island (colder water) had more surfer's ear than those in the North Island (warmer water).

Novas perspectivas na reconstituição do modo de vida dos sambaquieiros

“…Altas freqüências dessa anomalia foram registradas em pessoas envolvidas em atividades aquáticas intensas (Kroon et al, 2002), como surfistas, mergulhadores e pessoas responsáveis pela obtenção de recursos aquáticos (Standen et al, 1997). Apesar de causas genéticas já terem sido consideradas como determinantes da exostose auditiva, atualmente considera-se que sua etiologia esteja associada a fatores ambientais, especialmente ao contato dos canais auditivos com água fria (Van Gilse, 1983;Kennedy, 1986;Deleyiannis et al, 1996;Standen et al, 1997;Chaplin & Stuart, 1998;Velasco-Vazquez et al, 2000).…”

Surfers' awareness of the preventability of ‘surfer's ear’ and use of water precautions

“…2 Exostoses are bony growths of the external auditory canal which develop in response to cold water exposure. 3 Such exostoses are usually asymptomatic. However, if large they can cause conductive hearing loss, recurrent otitis externa and otalgia.…”

“…Epidemiological studies of surfing communities in several countries have identified a higher prevalence of exostoses in populations exposed to colder waters. [3][4][5][6] This has led to many experts advocating the use of ear plugs or wetsuit hoods to prevent the ingress of cold water into the external auditory canal. Such precautionary measures should prevent the development and limit the progression of exostoses.…”

Audiological implications of earplugs used for the prevention of aural exostoses

“…Surgery is indicated where conservative measures are inadequate. Epidemiological studies of surfing communities in New Zealand [1], Australia [3], Japan [4] and the United States [5] have identified a higher prevalence of exostoses in populations exposed to colder waters. Earplug use prevents the ingress of cold water to the external auditory canal, and so they are believed to prevent or limit the progression of exostoses.…”

“…External auditory canal exostoses, more commonly referred to as ''surfer's ear'', are bony growths that develop in response to cold water exposure [1]. Exostoses are usually asymptomatic but, if they are large, can cause conductive hearing loss, recurrent otitis externa and otalgia [2].…”