Prevalence of external auditory canal exostoses in Australian surfboard riders

Abstract

This paper assessed 300 surfboard riders, comprising 229 males and 71 females to determine the prevalence and rate of growth of exostoses in this population. A group of cold water swimmers and a control group were also examined. Significant obstruction, defined as two thirds or more occlusion of the ear canal was noted in 90 of the male surfers and 10 female surfers. This degree of occlusion was found in seven of the 32 cold water swimmers. A male surfer who has surfed regularly for 20 years or more has a one in two chance of developing significant obstruction of the external ear canal resulting from exostoses and this is a three in seven chance for females.

Lesões em surfistas profissionais

“…However, other injuries are also described in the literature, such as ocular injuries (8)(9)(10) ; auditory injuries (11)(12) ; injuries produced by contact with marine animals or organisms (13)(14) , among others of less incidence.…”

External auditory exostoses and prehistoric aquatic resource procurement

“…A considerable number of clinical studies demonstrate that individuals regularly exposed to cold water are most predisposed to develop EAEs. Many of these clinical studies concentrate on surfers, but also on the condition in sailors, kayakers, swimmers, water polo players, and divers (Adams, 1951;Altuna Mariezkurrena et al, 2005;Chaplin and Stewart, 1998;Cooper et al, 2010;Deleyiannis et al, 1996;Di Bartolomeo, 1979;Filipo et al, 1982;Fowler and Osmun, 1942;Harrison, 1962;Hurst et al, 2004;Ito and Ikeda, 1998;Karegeannes, 1995;Kroon et al, 2002;Timofeev et al, 2004;Van Gilse, 1938).…”

“…Exostoses may appear in susceptible individuals after one to three years of regular contact with water (Adams, 1951;Van Gilse, 1938), but 5-10 years of exposure seems the most common period of time necessary to develop a bony outgrowth (Altuna Mariezkurrena et al, 2005;Chaplin and Stewart, 1998;Cooper et al, 2010;Deleyiannis et al, 1996;Di Bartolomeo, 1979). A number of studies demonstrate a clear correlation between the time exposed and the prevalence and severity of EAE (Altuna Mariezkurrena et al, 2005;Chaplin and Stewart, 1998;Cooper et al, 2010;Deleyiannis et al, 1996;Hurst et al, 2004;Ito and Ikeda, 1998;Karegeannes, 1995;Kroon et al, 2002;Van Gilse, 1938). Clinical reports also show that ears exposed to a combination of water and cold air as represented by wind chill are more likely to develop EAE, and at a faster rate (Hurst et al, 2004;Ito and Ikeda, 1998;Timofeev et al, 2004).…”

“…A number of studies demonstrate a clear correlation between the time exposed and the prevalence and severity of EAE (Altuna Mariezkurrena et al, 2005;Chaplin and Stewart, 1998;Cooper et al, 2010;Deleyiannis et al, 1996;Hurst et al, 2004;Ito and Ikeda, 1998;Karegeannes, 1995;Kroon et al, 2002;Van Gilse, 1938). Clinical reports also show that ears exposed to a combination of water and cold air as represented by wind chill are more likely to develop EAE, and at a faster rate (Hurst et al, 2004;Ito and Ikeda, 1998;Timofeev et al, 2004). There might be a particular temperature threshold that triggers the formation of exostosis -for instance water at 19°C is enough to produce bone formation in guinea pigs (Fowler and Osmun, 1942) -but as several factors interact, this temperature is difficult to define: exostosis may appear following either a severe stimulus (very low temperature) applied for a short time or a mild stimulus applied over a lengthier period of time (Harrison, 1962).…”

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.…”