Prevalence of 'surfer's ear' in Cornish surfers

To establish the prevalence of external auditory canal exostosis ('surfer's ear') in Cornish surfers and investigate the potential impact on healthcare.

A total of 105 surfers were interviewed and otologically assessed on popular Cornish beaches. The degree of exostosis was graded as mild, moderate or severe.

The prevalence of external auditory canal exostosis was 63.81 per cent (33.33 per cent mild, 18.10 per cent moderate and 12.38 per cent severe). The degree of exostosis showed a significant correlation with absolute cold-water exposure time. However, there was individual variation in susceptibility to external auditory canal exostosis; 12 per cent of surfers with excessive cold-water exposure showed no exostosis. Regression analysis of surgical operations performed at the Royal Cornwall Hospital for exostosis over the last 13 years revealed an average increase of 1.23 operations per year, with an average of 13 cases per year over the last 9 years.

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.