MINDING THE EARS
WITH a dramatic rise in people taking part in triathalons and water sports, a clinic informing people of the condition ‘Surfer’s ear’ took place recently at Sligo University Hospital.
Medically known as “exostosis of the external auditory canal,” Surfer’s ear is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind.
Consultants, doctors and staff of the ear, nose and throat team at Sligo University Hospital banded together last week to hold three evenings of clinics for cold water athletes to get checked, and to gain awareness and information about the condition.
The debilitating condition, which can lead to hearing loss, can impact swimmers, divers, kayakers and of course surfers.
The condition occurs when the cooling of the ear canal stimulates bone growth that narrows the canal and blocks the eardrum.
According to Dr Seamus Boyle of the hospital ENT team, 66% of Irish surfers have Surfer’s ear, while only 88% of them are aware they have the condition.
“This problem is going to sky-rocket. Triathalons have seen a rapid rise of 13% in numbers and kayaking is getting trendy,” said Dr Boyle, who added that awareness of the condition was incredibly important.
Though its existence has been well documented, even since 1874, the understanding of the condition and its prevelance is seriously lacking, and as of yet there has been no medical papers on the existence of the condition in triathletes.
Working through all the national water sports bodies, including Triathlete Ireland and Diving Ireland, the team gathered questionnaires from 759 respondents, showing that 39% of those with Surfer’s ear were ‘non surfers’.
Noting the current rise in triathalon participation, Dr Boyle said the average triathlete has been taking part in the sport for five years, whereas surfers were participating in their sport for an average of 17 years.
The current study by the team showed that triathletes were the cohort that were the least aware of the condition at 30% awareness, compared to 91% of surfers who are aware of the condition .
“We’re really trying to get the message out there that Surfer’s ear is not just for surfers,” said Dr Boyle, adding that from the current study it was noted that one triathlete has already had surgery to correct the condition.
“83% of kayakers had symptoms, it was 70% among open water swimmers, 60% in sub aqua, 76% in surfers and 71% in open water swimmers.”
Commenting on the statistics, Dr Boyle said it was clear to see that ‘people are suffering’.
“We imagine these people will develop Surfer’s ear in time if they don’t know about how to reduce the risk of it.”
“The other message we are trying to get out there is people need to protect their ears because if they don’t protect their ears there is a higher chance they will develop Surfer’s ear.
“Less than fifty of those who took part said they wear ear plugs,” according to Dr Boyle.
The study also showed that though people were positive in relation to using ear plugs and protective caps, this did not correlate with respondents’ usage of same.
“The reality is, in triathletes usage of protective wear is at 32%. The main hindrance they say is reduced hearing.”
Dr Boyle and Dr Eoin McCarthy Deering thanked all hospital staff from security, to doctors who helped make the clinic possible.
They also thanked all Sligo sporting bodies who helped spread the word and to videographer Fionn Rogers for capturing the clinic’s activities.
One clinic attendee, Noel Keaveney admitted that he did not know about the condition until he saw the clinic advertised.
The triathlete with Sligo Triathalon Club swims up to four times per week.
“The club encouraged us to get it checked out. I didn’t even know it existed.
“In the winter time it’s all pool and in summer time we would do open water, three to four sessions a week, Rosses Point and Lough Gill some of the time.”
Though an avid open water swimmer, the Ballintogher native said he never had any issues with his ears.
Asked if he had learned anything from the clinic, the triathlete was happy to hear that he does not have Surfer’s ear.
“I’ve learned that I’m okay, and apart from that, I’m more aware of it and to use ear plugs and maybe a skull cap.
“I have been very ad lib with using these. I’d say fifty per cent of the time I wouldn’t use ear plugs.
“I think now I’d be very conscious of using ear plugs from now on and a skull cap.
“It’s well worth knowing and a great opportunity, with doctors to be made available free of charge.”
Surfer, Aron O’Donnell from Strandhill has been suffering over 25 years and came along to the clinic to be assessed by the team.
“I’ve always heard about it and never passed much head even though we had heard horror stories about Surfer’s ear. It’s a good opportunity to come in and get it checked out,” said Mr O’Donnell.
Always aware of the condition, the avid surfer had always made sure to get his ears checked regularly.
“I would have always asked the doctor to have a quick look and he would have said there’s no sign of it, he wouldn’t have been a specialist in it.”
Like many water sports enthusiasts, Mr O’Donnell admits he doesn’t wear ear plugs and counts himself lucky to find out his assessment came back ‘close to zero’.
“They were pretty surprised at that considering the length of time I’ve been surfing.”
And has the clinic provided some food for thought?
“Ya. I probably have another 30 or 40 years surfing and it can develop, so they recommended ear plugs.
“We were all aware of it, but we put it to the backs of our minds but for some surfers it’s too late and they’ ll need surgery.”