An awareness and prevalence study of Irish cold-water athletes and external auditory canal exostoses

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to determine the awareness, otological symptoms and prevalence of external auditory canal exostoses in Irish cold-water athletes. Method An online and in person cross-sectional survey was undertaken with Irish cold-water athletes to explore athletes' awareness, known prevalence of external auditory canal exostoses and attitudes towards preventive measures. Results Of the 926 participants surveyed, 67.5 per cent were aware of external auditory canal exostoses. Triathletes reported the lowest awareness (39.9 per cent) among water athletes. A total of 9.7 per cent (n = 90) had previously been diagnosed with external auditory canal exostoses and 46.7 per cent (n = 42) were non-surfers. Ear symptoms were reported in 76 per cent of athletes. Otoscopic examinations showed that 23.7 per cent had external auditory canal exostoses, 3.6 per cent of whom were aware of their diagnosis. Conclusion The majority of Irish surfing athletes are aware of external auditory canal exostoses. There is less awareness with regard to Ireland's newly emerging sports such as open water swimming and triathlons. Over 90 per cent of athletes surveyed had no idea they had external auditory canal exostoses, which highlights the need to increase public awareness.

What do windsurfers and kitesurfers in Germany know about surfer's ear and how is it influenced by protective measures?

“…49,50 The proportion of windsurfers and kitesurfers who are aware of external auditory exostosis can be considered high (81 per cent), which is similar to the results in surfers (65 per cent to 92 per cent). 3,16,18,24,25,31,32 Overall, 60 per cent of windsurfers and kitesurfers have 'good' or 'excellent' knowledge and 40 per cent have 'poor' or no knowledge about external auditory exostosis, showing a lower rate of good or excellent knowledge than 375 surfers in the UK (77 per cent) 31 and 207 surfers in Ireland (86 per cent). 32 Because of a relatively large number of studies and spread of information about external auditory exostosis via social media, the topic is more commonly discussed in relation to surfing than in relation to windsurfing and kitesurfing.…”

“…3,16,18,24,25,31,32 Overall, 60 per cent of windsurfers and kitesurfers have 'good' or 'excellent' knowledge and 40 per cent have 'poor' or no knowledge about external auditory exostosis, showing a lower rate of good or excellent knowledge than 375 surfers in the UK (77 per cent) 31 and 207 surfers in Ireland (86 per cent). 32 Because of a relatively large number of studies and spread of information about external auditory exostosis via social media, the topic is more commonly discussed in relation to surfing than in relation to windsurfing and kitesurfing. This may explain the higher knowledge of surfers in the UK and Ireland.…”

“…A positive attitude towards the use of earplugs was reported by 70 per cent 31 and 56 per cent 32 of surfers surveyed in the UK. According to Nakanishi et al , 24 earplugs in surfing are used more often by professionals than by amateurs.…”

“…Despite the relatively high proportion of surfers with awareness and knowledge of external auditory exostosis, 88 per cent 16 and 96 per cent 32 of surfers surveyed in Ireland denied knowledge of the existence of their own external auditory exostosis. Simas et al 33 also concluded that there was low awareness of external auditory exostosis occurrence after estimating a relatively low external auditory exostosis prevalence of 29 per cent for surfers in New Zealand via an online survey, whereas a physical survey via otoscope in New Zealand showed an external auditory exostosis prevalence of 73 per cent.…”

“…3,17,18 Morris et al 31 determined that skill level, earplug use and diagnosis of external auditory exostosis had a significant positive effect on knowledge of external auditory exostosis among surfers in the UK, whereas otological complaints and years of exposure were not associated with this knowledge. Similarly, among aquatic athletes in Ireland, Boyle et al 32 found that years of exposure did not significantly influence knowledge, but knowing someone with external auditory exostosis significantly increased knowledge. Among surfers in the UK who were studied by Reddy et al, 3 it was found that those with knowledge of the preventability of external auditory exostosis were significantly more likely to use external auditory canal protection than surfers without such knowledge.…”