Prevalence of ‘surfer's ear’ in Cornish surfers

Abstract

Exostosis of the external auditory canal is common in Cornish surfers. There appears to be individual variation in terms of susceptibility to this condition. The possible reasons for this are discussed. The increase in the technically difficult surgical operations performed for exostosis is likely to have implications for health resources in the future.

Awareness and attitudes towards external auditory canal exostosis and its preventability in surfers in the UK: cross-sectional study

“…24 Currently in the Royal Cornwall Hospital, an average of 13 EACE operations are completed annually. 15 Over the last 9 years, this represents an average increase of 1.23 operations per year, supporting the 'lag-phase'. 15 Studies agree that earplugs can reduce need for surgical intervention.…”

“…15 Over the last 9 years, this represents an average increase of 1.23 operations per year, supporting the 'lag-phase'. 15 Studies agree that earplugs can reduce need for surgical intervention. In Alexander's crosssectional study, subjects were less likely to have evidence of EACE if they were regular users of earplugs.…”

“…22 Therefore, based on current literature this places the UK's EACE prevalence as the highest worldwide (63.0%). 15 Studies agree that it takes approximately 10 years of surfing, which equates to over 5000 hours, in order to acquire a clinically significant disease. 4,14,[21][22][23][24] Thus, this produces a 10 year lag-phase which may make EACE an increasing part of the future ENT surgeon's workload.…”

“…[10][11][12][13] Estimates suggest that EACE is present in 63% of UK surfers and that 28% are afflicted with symptoms including otalgia, recurrent otitis externa and hearing loss. 14,15 Surgical intervention is the sole means of restoring auditory canal patency and eradicating these symptoms. 1,2 Earplugs limit cold water entry to the ear when surfing and can reduce the incidence of EACE.…”

“…16 Despite this, their use is limited amongst surfers, with only 2-15% currently reporting regular practice. 14,17 Awareness of EACE's preventability may influence earplug use amongst surfers and oppose the growing prevalence of this condition, 15 yet there is currently little evidence regarding surfers' awareness of EACE and attitude to earplugs. One cross-sectional study reported that 60% of surfers were aware of surfer's ear; 17 however this study was limited to 92 participants; and as such, findings may not be generalisable to surfers across the UK.…”