The relationship between auditory exostoses and cold water: A latitudinal analysis

Abstract

The frequency of auditory exostoses was examined by latitude. It was found that discrete bony lesions of the external auditory canal were, with very few exceptions, either absent or in very low frequency (less than 3.0%) in 0-30 degrees N and S latitudes and above 45 degrees N. The highest frequencies of auditory exostoses were found in the middle latitudes (30-45 degrees N and S) among populations who exploit either marine or fresh water resources. Clinical and experimental data are discussed, and these data are found to support strongly the hypothesis that there is a causative relationship between the formation of auditory exostoses and exploitation of resources in cold water, particularly through diving. It is therefore suggested that since auditory exostoses are behavioral rather than genetic in etiology, they should not be included in estimates of population distance based on nonmetric variables.

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).…”

Auditory Exostoses among Ancient Human Populations in the Circum-Pacific Area: Regional Variations in the Occurrence and Its Implications.

“…The results of these studies provide strong support for the hypothesis that there is a causative relationship between the formation of auditory exostoses and the exploitation of either marine or fresh water resources through diving. This suggests that they are behavioral rather than genetic in etiology (Kennedy, 1986;Standen and others, 1997). The assumption that auditory exostoses are caused by chronic and habitual exposure to cold water, called the "thermal aquatic hypothesis" (Dibartolomeo, 1979), has become widely accepted by clinicians and scholars of physical education as well as physical anthropologists.…”

“…Meanwhile, anthropologists such as Stewart (1933) referred to a generalised thickening of the lateral margin of the tympanic plate, or generalised hyperostosis as auditory exostoses. These earlier studies were reviewed by Kennedy (1986).…”

Detecting evidence of systemic inflammation from osteological markers in the Indian Knoll population of Ohio county, Kentucky.

“…Okumura et al (2007:564) formulated that air temperature played a more significant role in the formation of exostoses, while water temperature was a contributing factor, supported by the increased occurrence of exostoses in groups where wind chill was increased. Sex differences were evident in Kennedy's (1986) literature review. However, it is also thought that gender roles correlate to cold water and wind exposure, thereby influencing the occurrence of exostoses between the sexes (Okumura et al 2007:546).…”

“…Exostoses have been attributed to a genetic predisposition with an external stimulant (DiBartolomeo 1979), as well as an exclusively environmental, or incidental, cause (Hong 1965;Kennedy 1986;Kuzminsky et al 2016;Okumura et al 2007;Standen et al 1997). Race was proposed to play a role in the predisposition of certain individuals to develop the condition (DiBartolomeo 1979:15-16).…”