THE PREVALENCE OF EXOSTOSES IN THE EXTERNAL AUDITORY MEATUS OF SURFERS

Fifty-four surfers and 38 surf life savers were examined and questione d in order to determine the prevalence of exostoses. Seventy-three per cent had evidence of body exostoses in the external auditory meatus. Forty per cent had their ear canals narrowed by 50% or more. The relat ionship between the number of years spent surfing or life saving and t he extent of canal stenosis was highly significant (P < 0.00001). Left and right ears were affected equally in this series and the obstructi on appears to begin after approximately 7 years and is further aggrava ted by continued surfing. Over 90% of subjects who had participated fo r longer than 10 years had some evidence of exostoses. There was no si gnificant association between the number of days per year or the numbe r of hours per day spent surfing and the development of surfer's ear i n this sample. Those who participated in their water sport over winter had significantly more exostoses than those who did not (P < 0.0001). Those who lived in the South Island (colder water) had more surfer's ear than those in the North Island (warmer water).