Surfer’s Ear Symposium
chriscotetws
- December 22 2008
- 3,740 views
- 44 comments
Surfer’s Ear
What Is It? And How Do I Prevent It?
All You Ever Needed To Know About Surfer’s Ear…
A lot of surfers worry about getting eaten by sharks while they shred. While this is a valid worry in South Africa or New Smyrna Beach, Florida—studies show that you’re more likely to be eaten by a pig than bit by a shark. There is however some eating all of us surfers, and the scary part, is it’s eating our brains! Actually, it’s not eating our brain, just causing horrible damage to our ear canals, and in some cases deafness! It’s the scourge of the sea. I’m talking about exostosis, otherwise known as Surfer’s Ear. Wikipedia says, “Surfer’s Ear is the common name for exostosis, abnormal bone growth, within the ear canal. Surfer’s ear is not the same as swimmer’s ear.
Over time irritation from cold wind and water cause the bone surrounding the ear canal to develop lumps of new bony growth, which constrict the ear canal. The condition is so named due to its prevalence among cold-water surfers. Cold water surfers experience surfer’s ear at about six times the rate of warm water surfers.”
Ask around next time you paddle out, you can bet that someone near you in the line up has suffered from Surfer’s Ear—even Transworld SURF’s Photo Editor Aaron Checkwood was recently hit by Surfer’s Ear.
Here’s his story, along with a ton of information about how you can avoid this horrible condition, and what to do if you already have it.—Chris Cote
Here’s What TW Surf Photo Editor Aaron Checkwood Has To Say About Surfer’s Ear:
“About 10 years ago, I was at a contest in Santa Cruz and Doc Scott of Docs Proplugs was there with a huge truck and medical equipment in back. Basically he was going around with it and taking pictures of everyone’s ears to show them how closed up they are from Surfers Ear. Mine was about 80 percent closed up and I began wearing his earplugs to prolong what would be the eventual surgery I had last month. There’s a lot of Urban Myths surrounding the surgery. From what I know, there isn’t a magic laser to do it, but if it is bad enough they’ll peel the ear off and drill from there. Mine was easy. My doctor, Doctor Beros at Scripps La Jolla, made it painless and basically drilled straight through with no pain-whatsoever and I was back in the water after three weeks. I have a friend who didn’t have insurance—and had a doctor who apparently is now disbarred chip—the bone out with a chisel and no anesthesia. So what can my experience tell you? Wear your plugs, find a good, experienced Surfers Ear doctor, and be prepared to be out of the water for a while.”—Aaron Checkwood, Photo Editor, Transworld SURF
How Do You Fight Surfer’s Ear?
Knowing your enemy is what counts. Surfer’s Ear is easily avoidable, and judging by the terrible surgery you have to get if you come down with a case of S.E.—we’ll all be following these avoidance techniques ASAP.
According to nearly every doctor and surfer alike, the best way to fight Surfer’s Ear is always wear earplugs, and if it’s real cold, wear a hood. Originator of the “surfers ear plug” Doc’s Pro Plugs says, “A PROPLUG keeps a warm pocket of air in the canal blocking cold water and air out without loss of hearing and balance. The vent does not leak due to surface tension. A drop may often cover the outside of the vent giving the impression of water in the canal. Simply push on the plug and the drop falls off.” Even Ratboy knows how to prevent Surfer’s Ear, “If I forget my Pro Plugs, I’ll go home to get them, basically, I won’t surf without them.”
What If I Already Have It And Don’t Know?
According to ehow.com, there are six steps to follow to self-diagnose Surfer’s Ear:
1. Know that surfer’s ear is the common term for a medical condition where the ear canal is partially or completely closed off by excessive and late developing cartilage growth. It is thought to be caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to cold water.
2. Take notice of any pain, popping or crackling that originates in your ear.
3. Tilt your ear toward the ground and shake your head to see if you can hear water trapped in your inner ear.
4. Ask yourself if people are always telling you to turn down the music or the TV, or if they tell you that you talk loudly.
5. Think about whether you’re asking others to speak up, even when they are sitting right next to you.
6. Visit a doctor, preferably an ear specialist, and get a second opinion to verify any diagnosis.
So What If I Have It?
Well, here’s where the fun starts. If you have visited a doctor and are told the bad news that you do in fact have Surfer’s Ear, you will most likely have to get drilled. But remember to do your research, and always get a second opinion. There are new ways that some doctors are treating Surfer’s Ear. Dr. Hetzler at the Palo Alto Medical Center is on the forefront of a new procedure that “by using chisels to remove the ear canal exostosis via the ear canal has replaced the traditional incision behind the ear and all or most use of a drill. The advantages for the patient are less exposure to noise during surgery that can damage hearing, more rapid healing and a faster return to water sports.”
YouTube clip of an ear that is in the beginning stages of Surfer’s Ear.
Helpful Links Regarding Surfers Ear:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfer’s_Ear
http://www.santacruzmedical.org/surfersear.html
http://www.faldoc.co.uk/surfers_ear.htm
http://surfing.about.com/od/surfingrelatedailments/a/122207exostosis.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_15493_determine-you-have.html
http://www.lajollasurf.org/surf_ear.html
http://www.proplugs.com/pdf/837_AdvSportsAd1.pdf
http://www.eardoctor.org/?gclid=CJHQz-rYu5cCFQsQagodoFKrRA
One Of Our Good Friends And Ace Photographer, Jason Woolcott, Is Another Sufferer Of Surfer’s Ear, Check Out His Account Of The Awful Ailment:
“I slide my way through the crowded bar spotting an old time friend. Usually I would be excited to have an opportunity to catch up with my buddy. Instead I grab my jacket and head out into the quite night. Am I rude? Or do I just not feel like reading lips and making an ass of myself when I don’t catch what he is saying. After spending the last 20 years surfing in the less than temperate waters of California, I have an extreme case of exostosis, more commonly known as surfers ear. At twenty years old I had my first surfers ear procedure done on my left ear. When you sign the waiver before going under the knife you see things like: the procedure is not guaranteed, can cause permanent hearing loss and possibly death. You shrug it off saying to yourself “this is the 21st century and medicine is good these days. I’m sure this is just legal crap” well, in my case I lost 30% of my hearing after the surgery.“
Fast forward to November 2007, once again, I was enduring painful ear infections and a permanently clogged right ear. After 3 trips to the ear doc he finally said that I should stop shrugging it off and get the procedure done to remove the bone growth. After what I had been through the first time I was frightened that I would lose hearing in my other ear as well and get really comfortable with saying “What, sorry, I did not hear you” for the rest of my life. Not to mention that even though I have good health insurance I will be going $1500 out of pocket to have some one chisel bone out of my ear.
Surfer ear is caused by exposure to cold water and cold wind for prolonged periods of time. Well, that pretty much sums up my life. There are many ways to avoid developing surfers ear such as: stay out of the water (yeah right), wear ear plugs, wear a hood, put on a beanie after getting out of the water to prevent the residual water left in the ear after surfing to get cold from wind. But as surfers, we are lucky if we remember our suit, leash, and wax. Adding one more thing to remember before paddling out into the frigid lineup. Using products like swim ear after you get out is only effective in reducing the chance of ear infection.
Here is a little motivation for you: The procedure goes something like this: 1st you are put under using general anesthetic which in itself is dangerous and is not something you want to do often, save for if you need a liver transplant or something serious. 2nd depending on the shape of your ear canal the doctor may chose to make an incision in the back of your ear to allow better access and visibility. This means they will basically cut your ear off and than stitch it back on afterwards which sucks, it takes almost twice as long to heal. Or go straight through the ear canal. 3rd the instruments used are not what you would want stuck in your ear while you sleep. They use a surgical drill, kinda like a Dremel tool, micro chisels and a hammer, scalpels and a few other scary tools. Finally, if you have no complications you will be out of the water for about a month. I have a few friends who have had serious complications which required a second more extensive surgery to deal with infection and poor craftsmanship by the doctor which put one friend out for three months. Imagine how many swells you will miss.
If left untreated, surfers ear can cause hearing loss from repetitive ear infection, which can damage the eardrum, so bad that complete hearing loss can occur. It is also painful dealing with plugged, infected ears all the time and is a nightmare if you plan on picking up chicks at the bar.—Jason Wolcott
Did we miss something or are you yourself suffering from Surfer’s Ear? Let us know in the comment box below!
I bookmarked this blog. Thanks heaps for this!… if anyone else has anything, it would be much appreciated. Great website Super Pianoforte Links 
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December 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
What if recently, I’ve noticed water getting trapped in my left ear every time i get in the water? I find myself trying to release the water out with my finger and hitting the side of my head but sometimes i can’t get the water out and it messes up my hearing and equilibrium.
Is this a warning sign of S.E. and should I get it checked out? Please advise Drs. Cote and Checkwood.
Thanks,
Tim G, back office retail product sales
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Tim G, you’re screwed, and about three months away from permanent hearing loss. The only way to fight it is by drinking lots of beer and nailing co-eds. Good luck.
Also, Dr. Checkwood is more renowned for his proctology than his ear, nose, and throat skills.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
perfect. I’m on the right track already then. thanks!
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hi there
good article I have had ear surgery in both ears and it worked pretty good but I live in east cost Canada very cold and another thing was I had norrow ears to start , it sucked but I got it fixed and am allot better but right side did not work as good so I am going in again
I have been wearing ear plugs when I don’t have hood on and they help , one thing is get your ears checked out , it used to drive me
crazy and I thought I would have to quote
have a good holidays and watch http://www.surfdonkey.ca
Lance
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I had both ears chiseled out over 10 years ago and I just now have been told that it has grown back. I will definitely get them done again as the results were incredible the first time around. Just gonna wait till it’s absolutely necessary.
To the guy paying $1500…Well worth it to not have that feeling of water in the ear for days after every session.
wear a hood and put a beanie on after every cold session!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I had my right ear drilled about 2 days ago. The surgery went fine. Should be back at ghost trees in just over a month. Getting my ear plugs as well. Ratboy you suck ass, to bad I had to tap your girlfriend the other day, thats what you get for snakin me on that set wave at steamers last week!
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Hey Big Wave Dave, you rip!
Sorry bro, um, thats funny… my girlfriend and i were in hawaii last week. you must have mistaken me with one of your other friends? while you were at it you should’ve gotten lasik surgery. then you wouldn’t mistake me for one of your bros.
Anyway, thanks for the props! Ghost trees must be fun now that jet skis were banned; you might catch a wave out there now. Lets go surf sometime! Drop me a line.
Too bad you didn’t wear your Docs Proplugs. You coulda saved that money to buy a new stand up paddle board. Tell your mom I said hi and I’ll call her back later!
Thanks for your support, B.W.D.
Happy Holidays…
Jason ‘Ratboy’ Collins
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Was kinda expecting a better mom burn-back from Rat, that was pretty standard mom warfare.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Yep Its the holidays! i’m not much for mom heckle jokes, so not much effort
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
RATBOY is a TWEAKER, f**** santa cruz
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Do you guys even know Rat? No! He’s a good dude. You guy’s are a bunch of shit talking KOOKS!
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
What ssl you don’t know shit! Step up and write some shit then sign your name . Yep Santa Cruz sucks ! So don’t surf here . I guess you are just a spineless goon or you would leave your real name. You don’t know anything about me,to call me a” Tweaker” is hilarious!
Wow this was a discussion about surfers ear, you guys should go surfing instead of wasting your time writing shit about people. Man up and sign your name if you have a problem !
Merry Christmas!
RatBoy
December 24th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Use alchohol after each session, that will release any water. You put alittle in ur ear, then kinda like pop ur ear with your finger to make an air pocket for the alcohol to get into, then it will dry out ur ear, since it will evaporate.. I do it and I am usually good. But wearing a hood is good when its cold, don’t try to be tough!
December 25th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I surf cold water all the time as well and it sucks when you get flushed under the squid lid. I’ve heard that using rubbing alcohol or peroxide is extremely bad for your internal ears so my remedies include drying my ears out with a piece of tissue and whenever my ear feels like its swelling shut I just tug on my ear-lobe to try and keep the canal open. Have’nt had surfer’s ear since I was a grom. And why are u kooks trying to pick on Rat-boy? …the guy stright up kills it and from what I can tell seems like a pretty mellow dude. If he burned you or whatever it was probaly because your obvious display of kookiness! Cheers!
December 25th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Champ CORKY CARROLL raves in his news column about Dr. Jackson who does use a laser and silent diamond drills– all through the ear opening. No incisions! Unlike with chisels, they never grow back!
Straight from Corky . http://www.ocregister.com/discoveroc/valuing-fathers-robertson-1272041-sweet-board
“Q. I need to get surgery on both of my ears due to the bone growth, referred to as surfers ear. I know you are familiar with this condition. I’ve been putting it off for years, and now I get ear infections almost monthly. Please give me the name of a doctor who specializes in this procedure. I would really appreciate it!!!
A. The best doctor for this that I know of is Dr. Carol Jackson at the Newport Hearing and Balance Center. They are right across from Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. She did mine the last time and did it right. I had the surgery before and it was done wrong and I really regretted it.”
December 25th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
More fr.Corky Carroll’s column. Ask him at corkysurf@aol.com
He writes back!
“Some rather annoying health issues arise with constant surfing.
For some reason I am susceptible to all of them. One of the most common problems is “surfer’s ear. I have had my ears drilled out five times. “ The last time was done right over eight years ago
by Dr. Carol Jackson with no problems since.
“I get asked about it all the time. So I contacted who I consider the leading expert in this area, Dr. Carol Jackson of Newport Beach. I asked her to write on this and related ear problems for surfers.”
For prevention, Dr. Jackson emphasizes drying the ears with a hair blow dryer if needed to rid retained water after surfing. “Frequent use of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide without moisturizing drops is drying to the skin, causing cracking which opens the skin to infections.”
Everyone says go to a board certified “otologist” ENT with two more years of just ear surgery training. Dr. Jackson’s from famous House Ear Institute in L.A. — the best!
I’m going in to get both of mine done in Feb so will let you guys know how it goes. Dr. Jackson does both ears at the same time or a few days apart – cool. Less down time — only 3 to 4 weeks total!
December 25th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Suggested link for your list, to Dr.Jackson’s ear site
http://www.ear-hearing-doctors.com/
They have everything for hearing, dizziness, balance
and fit my grandma’s hearing aids. We call them the
House of Ears.
Corky calls them the “ear babes” because the hot ladies
are sweet and easy on the eyes,– what more could you want?
If you google Dr Carol Jackson for ears in Orange County
Newport Beach there’s lots of patient reviews.
December 26th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I use equal parts vinegar and alcohol, definately dries out the ear canal. Ratboy rips, arguably the best aerial surfer of all time.
December 26th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I wear docs all the time ,sometimes i get a little water in my ears i use a little bit of teatree oil.
Take a tissue with a little oil and put it carefully into the irritated ear .
The oil is a natural antiseptic and kinda warms the ear and dries it out, feels good and works on minor cuts and scrapes to disinfect them.
I’m not a doctor but i have had positive results, just don’t rub your eyes with oil on your hands, also its smell is pretty strong so some hippie heckle from friends is common.
You can buy it most natural food stores.
December 26th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Dr. Jackson just did both my ears on the same day, last Friday, December 19th at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, Ca. It has been a week to the day and I was expecting something much worse then what I’ve experienced so far. I have felt no pain, haven’t taken any pain or nausea meds since waking up from the anesthetia. My jaw, by my ears does get sore sometimes from chewing heavy or crunchy foods but that is due to my ears being packed. I went to see Dr. Jackson 5 days after my procedure and she removed some of the packing and my hearing improved some, she says it will take a few weeks before the tiny sponges dissolve or fall out and my ear is clear and hearing at 100% again. Long story short, do your home work on your Dr. and so far I am stoked that I had it done and am amped to get back in the water.
PS - I know Rat Boy and he is far from a tweaker and is one of the coolest, humble, down to earth dudes you’ll meet.
Brandy Faber
December 27th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Very very solid piece of information. Thank you for lending this knowledge !
December 27th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
can anyone help me out? like last month i was surfong and i got wiped out by a big wave and got held under for a good while.. while i was held under my ear like poped and it hurt really bad when i was able to get out of the water it felt like my ear was bleeding!! it hurt soooooo bad! and i was dizzy and my head hurt! well toady i ws surfing and it happened again. it doesnt hurt anymore but at the time it was frikin hurting like a motha!!!! is there any way i can avoid this?? thanks!!
some one please reply to this.. im desperate! this stuff really hurts!!!!!
December 30th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Another cold water (NECoast) surfer here with SE. Great article - and nice to hear (in general …. for now) the perspective of a inflicted surfer(s) - not just my DR, who I get the feeling, can’t wait to plug the Home Depot drill in and pull my ears offs for some needed practice. I was scheduled to have it done two months ago, arrived for my pre-op, but after reading the “what could go wrong” form, I excused myself to use the ladies room and got the hell out of there.
My right ear is defintely getting worse, and although your article has only added to that “no friggen way” feeling I get when thinking about having that surgury, it’s the best I’ve read on the subject - and I did learn something new… “Chisel - NOT Drill”. Awesome.
Hannah@boardriderart.com
December 30th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
i’ve gotta grab me a pair of earplugs
December 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Duuude, No Chisel muh nizzle! My boyfriens been chiselled 3 times by the doc in Santa Cruz.
They don’t tell ya but they don’t get ‘em all out that way .. . . . is why they “come back.”
I use avocado oil like the dude who does tea oil. My ear doc sez it’s better than alcohol
peroxide. It coats without irritating.
Laser’s gotta be the way.
Two cousins got theirs out and said “no pain.” But they got these big gnarly scars back of their ears you can see from the sides and back. Don’t want my head friggin fileted open if ya can get em out without that!
December 30th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
About earplugs, they gotta fit pretty well and ya gotta put ‘em in !!!!!
December 31st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
you gotta get to a doctor and make sure you didn’t get a small tear in your ear drum. my sister had a pretty severe ear infection, the pressure tore her ear drum and it was vertigo city.
January 11th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
After years of eggy ear infections, I’m finally gettin’ my ears drilled by Dr. Hetzler in Santa Cruz in two weeks. i tried all kinds of preventative measures and nothing worked. i’m over missing waves and not being able to hear. i’ll let u know how it goes.
happy new year and check out http://www.nicawaves.com
February 9th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
We just did an in-depth episode at SurfDonkey (http://surfdonkey.ca) on this with an post-op interview with an ENT specialist.
Tons of great info:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n25mhkf0aMg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgDYsIJmPRI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ee4xASj94
February 9th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Here’s the embedded vids that we did on surfer’s ear at SurfDonkey:
February 9th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Had my right ear done in 92 and it hurt so bad, and I woke up couphing on my own spit. It was a nightmare. V-land was going off the next week and like a typical 20 something I ignored the doc and packed my ear with wax and covered it with tape. It healed fine regardless of my abuse of it. Looks like the left one needs it now so I fear the worse. We’ll see if I proceed. Plugs comin into my life for sure even living in Hawaii with clean and warm water.
February 10th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
We just did a 3 part feature on SurfDonkey (http://surfdonkey.ca) about this topic. We have a post-op chat with an ENT specialist who explains all about the whys, the hows and the yuckys relating to this condition.
Thanks
Craig
February 10th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
We have the post-op follow upp form this surgery (3 part episode) at SurfDonkey.ca lots of great stuff from a ENT specialist.
thanks
Craig
June 14th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
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July 7th, 2009 at 2:21 am
I’ve known I have had SE for a couple years now and because I don’t have R10 000 to get the op(and wouldn’t want to anyway)I started using ear-plugs. I have had my ears washed out by the pharmacist once and am heading there again today to get them flushed out again. I didn’t realise though, that I might have a slight infection with it, but it makes sense now as I have been feeling a bit ‘unsettled’ past couple weeks.
My left ear used to be the culprit, now it’s the right one and has been mostly muffled for 2 weeks now. Thanks for the discussion, it has opened my eyes more to the condition, and also depressed the hell out of me:-( I’ve been surfing the cold waters of Cape Town, South Africa for 23 years now so i guess I have clocked up enough cold water time to win the prize of Exostosis:-)
thanks for the info. It’s been interesting reading up on it.
Andrew.
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October 14th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
It frightening to think that surfers could actually be going deaf which doing a sport that they enjoy. Is there nothing we can do without any possible consequences!
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
oils? maybe - but the vinegar/alcohol works like this……alcohol dissapates the moisture and the vinegar is a natural anti-infectant./bacteria. Use a couple drops EVERY time you finish a session, make it a habit…….had the surgery years ago……got the scoop on this remedy…..use it every time….not a problem since…started my grom on this from the get go……the kid has NEVER had an ear infection, surfs nearly every day year round.