Did you know, the ear is one of the few parts of our body that never stops growing?

Cold water surfers are prone to abnormal growth inside the ear. Hence the common name for this ear canal obstruction: Surfer’s Ear.

It’s like accelerated evolution. If the ear canal is bothered by cold wind and water, in as little as 5 years, your ear bone grows to protect itself.

Water, dirt and wax trapped by the bone growth leads to ear infections, pus and pain.

What are the symptoms?

• Going a bit deaf

• Regular ear infections, puss and pain

• Unable to get gunk out of ear, causing blockages

What can you do to treat it?

Bone growth is removed by drilling or chiselling, usually under general anaesthetic. Minimum time out of water is six weeks, but healing can take longer.

How can you prevent it?

Protect your ear canal from water and wind using ear plugs or a neoprene hood.

Local health services can help you get custom ear plugs made, and there’s a wide range of commercial ear plugs on the market.

If you’re really hard up, use Blu Tac.