Skip to main content

Surfer’s Ear, Sports Medicine

Matthew J. Jepson, MD, MS, Tenley Murphy, MD, FAAFP, CAQSM and Jason J. Stacy, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • Surfer’s ear, or external auditory exostosis, is a benign overgrowth of the temporal bone in the external auditory meatus that occurs after prolonged exposure to cold water.

  • Patients are usually...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Visual diagnosis during otoscopic exam

  • Weber and Rinne test to evaluate for conductive hearing loss

HISTORY

Key points: 
  • Amount of cold-water exposure

  • Use of preventive aids

  • Previous surgeries

  • Pres...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

Medications typically are not needed, unless to treat related bacterial infection or cerumen impaction. 

ISSUES FOR REFERRAL

  • Referral to audiology to establish degree of hearing loss

  • ...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

Correctable with surgery but may recur with continued exposure 

REFERENCES

1
Alexander V, Lau A, Beaumont E, et al. The effects of surfing behaviour on the development of external auditory canal exostosis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.  2015;272(7):1643–1649.
2
Cha...

ADDITIONAL READING

Cooper A, Tong R, Neil R, et al. External auditory canal exostoses in white water kayakers. Br J Sports Med.  2010;44(2):144–147. 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Benign bony overgrowth of the temporal bone into the external auditory meatus

  • Causes repeated ear infections, hearing loss, or pain in surfers (or other cold-water athletes)

  • Preventable ...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×