{"id":1434,"date":"2019-07-27T17:20:11","date_gmt":"2019-07-27T21:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/augustaent.com\/?p=1434"},"modified":"2019-11-26T11:41:43","modified_gmt":"2019-11-26T16:41:43","slug":"surfers-ear-and-other-summer-related-disorders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/augustaent.com\/surfers-ear-and-other-summer-related-disorders\/","title":{"rendered":"Surfer\u2019s Ear and Other Summer-Related Disorders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When the temperature climbs into the triple digits, many of us\nturn to water activities to find relief\u2026and that\u2019s where the trouble begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is\nSurfer\u2019s Ear and How Can it Affect Me?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"surfer<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Despite the name, surfer\u2019s ear can affect you even if you\u2019ve never caught a gnarly wave or even glimpsed the ocean in your life. Known medically as exostosis, surfer\u2019s ear is an inflammation of the bone in the ear canal that results from exposure to cold water. This leads to thickening of the bones and narrowing of the ear canal. Left untreated, significant growth may cause hearing loss over time<\/a>. Swimmers and surfers are the most common patients, though the condition can affect anybody who frequents the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the symptoms of Surfer’s ear?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first sign of surfer\u2019s ear is the occurrence of frequent ear\ninfections<\/a>, accompanied by a plugged-up feeling. Over time, a complete\nblockage of the ear canal may take place, leading to hearing loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treating surfer’s ear<\/a> usually involves canalplasty<\/a>, an outpatient surgical procedure in which the excess bone growth is chiseled away. Since this type of hearing loss is conductive in nature, the prognosis for a full recovery is good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you prevent Surfer’s ear?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In order to prevent surfer\u2019s ear, avoid swimming in extremely cold\nwater, especially during windy conditions. Wearing swim plugs or a swimming cap\ncan also help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Summertime Health\nHazards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surfer\u2019s ear isn\u2019t the only summertime hazard to worry about.\nOther potential problems include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n