Surfer’s Ear. It sounds almost romantic, like stepping into an exclusive club of people walking through sunsets in slow motion with their boards under their arms. In reality, surfer’s ear is a lot less glamorous. It is a persistent and sometimes painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold water, wind and cold. And no, you don’t even have to have touched a surfboard or wetsuit to suffer from it. Even hiking in the rain, biking in inclement winds or traversing a blizzard can be enough to trigger the natural watchdog in your ear.
In this blog I take you through everything you need to know about surfer’s ear: what it is, how it occurs, how to recognize it and – perhaps more importantly – how to prevent it. And I do so in the only way that’s right: nice and clear, no-nonsense and with a touch of humor so that the information sticks, just like that cold wind in November.
What exactly is surfer’s ear?
Surfer’s ear is the nickname for exostosis of the ear canal. That sounds like you need a degree in Latin, but in fact it means that bone growth is taking place in your ear canal. After all, your ear is not only a listening instrument but also an overzealous builder. When the ear is repeatedly exposed to cold conditions, it responds by creating extra bone to protect itself. That extra bone grows into the ear canal and can increasingly narrow it.
And so that’s surfer’s ear.
It grows slowly, often for years without you noticing. No evening rush, no red lights. Just very slowly and secretly, like a houseplant that you forget to water for months and then suddenly turns out to be alive.
Why especially surfers?
Surfers spend a lot of time in cold water, often several times a week, sometimes for hours at a time. Combine that with wind over the ocean and you have a cocktail your ears don’t exactly appreciate. The cold water washes in and out of the ear canal, the wind blows over it, and your ear thinks, “Help, I’m freezing to death, time to toughen up!” Et voilà – extra bone.
But it is not something exclusive to surfers. Anyone who stands or moves in cold or wet conditions for extended periods of time can develop surfer’s ear. Water skiers, divers, sailors, suppers, wakeboarders and swimmers are well-known candidates. But even hikers in inclement autumn storms, cyclists who slog daily through wind and rain to work, and even children who play outdoors in winter are not immune.
How is it that rain, snow and wind are also enough?
Let’s not pretend that a northern European autumn is innocent. Again, wind, rain and cold can be a pretty aggressive combination. You don’t need a surfboard to feel cold wind stabbing deep into your ear canal. Even a walk in the rain or snow creates exactly the same stimulus: cold air and moisture entering the sensitive ear canal.
Those cold triggers are exactly what bone growth responds to. So yes: whether you’re braving the waves at Scheveningen or just walking through the rain to the train station, your ears make no distinction. Cold is cold.
How do you recognize surfer’s ear?
At first, you don’t recognize it. Surfer’s ear is one of those silent medical ninjas that doesn’t spring into action until damage is already done. The symptoms are often attributed to “a clogged ear,” “some water after showering,” or “a bit of a cold.
Complaints may include:
- Hearing loss that develops slowly
- An oppressive or congested feeling
- Increasing sensitivity to water in the ear canal
- More regular ear infections
- Ear pain or a nagging sensation
- Water that just won’t come out of your ear
Once bone growth has progressed far enough, the ear canal closes partially or even almost completely. Then you get inflammations more often, and these are, of course, anything but nice.
Why especially in fall and winter?
In cold seasons, the risk of surfer’s ear is simply higher for three reasons:
- Temperature Differences
The difference between body heat and ambient temperature is great, causing your ear to react with extra sensitivity. - Wind
Autumn storm? Your ear canal gets cold air blown directly into it. As if someone installed an air conditioner in your ear. - Wet conditions
Rain, wet hair, sweat during sports… Moisture combined with cold is THE recipe for irritation and bone growth.
So even if you are not a surfer, fall and winter can create exactly the conditions in which surfer’s ear develops.
What happens if you do nothing?
Surfer’s ear is not life-threatening, but it is quite bothersome. Without treatment, bone growth can go so far that your ear canal almost closes up. You hear less well, you get infections faster, and water stays in your ear as if you were carrying a pool around all day.
Treatment usually involves surgery in which the excess bone is scraped away. Doesn’t sound cozy, and it isn’t. Recovery can take weeks, and in the meantime you have to keep your ear canal dry. So: prevention really is far better than cure.
How to prevent surfer’s ear?
Fortunately, no one has to experience this the hard way. With a few simple measures, you can significantly reduce the chances of surfer’s ear.
1. Protect your ears from cold and wind
Wear a hat or headband. In water activities, there are special neoprene ear muffs or headbands that help.
2. Wear protective earplugs
Earplugs are the best weapons against surfer’s ear. Custom-made plugs are especially ideal: they seal the ear canal tightly, let any sound through when needed, and last for years.
3. Keep your ears dry
If you got wet, dry your ears gently with a towel. No cotton swabs – they only push everything further.
4. Pay attention to your surroundings
Is it raining, blowing hard or snowing? Think about your ears before you step outside. Just as you bring gloves, your ears also deserve protection.
Why are custom earplugs a game changer?
Custom-made earplugs are specially shaped to fit your ear canal. They fit perfectly, protect against cold, water and wind, and are comfortable – even for hours. Last but not least, they often allow ambient noise to pass through, so you don’t feel like you’re in a vacuum.
They are especially useful for children: their ears are more sensitive and they often play and play sports outside. Proper protection saves a lot of hassle later.
Surfers ear: don’t underestimate it
Because we don’t swim in tropical waters every day here, many people think that surfer’s ear is not that bad. But our cold, wet and windy seasons actually make us extra vulnerable. Any athlete, hiker, cyclist, swimmer or outdoor worker can encounter it. Even that one lap through the snow with the dog can be a drop that contributes to your ear canal overload.
And believe me: once you know how annoying it can be, you’d rather avoid it beforehand.
In summary: protect your ears – always
Surfer’s ear is not just something for tough adrenaline junkies with surfboards. It is a condition that can happen to anyone who is regularly exposed to cold, wind and moisture. Especially in fall and winter, and even just during a wet bike ride to work or a walk through snow or rain.
You only have one pair of ears. And they are more fragile than they look. So be wise, protect them properly and prevent your ear canal from acting like an overly fancy construction worker. A pair of good custom-made earplugs can do wonders.
Do you want to know which protection is best for you? Then Horend Goed is the right place for you. Together we make sure that you go through life safely, comfortably and without unnecessary squeak or bone growth all year round.
