Health condition
Exostoses (surfer's ear)
Surfer's ear is bony narrowing of the ear canal caused by years of cold water exposure - it develops silently, then causes trapped water, infections and hearing loss; earplugs prevent it, and surgery can remove it.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Caused by repeated cold water and wind exposure - common in surfers, swimmers and divers
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Bony lumps narrow the canal, trapping water and wax and causing recurrent infections
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Prevention is simple: surf earplugs and a hood in cold water
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Surgical canalplasty removes the bone when symptoms demand it
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Cold water repeatedly chilling the ear canal stimulates the underlying bone to grow, producing smooth, hard mounds (exostoses) that creep inward over years to decades. Early disease is symptomless; as the canal narrows past roughly two-thirds obstruction, water lingers after every session, wax cannot escape, otitis externa becomes a recurring misery and hearing dulls - the typical presentation of a lifelong cold-water surfer in their forties.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
Diagnosis is by simple otoscopy - the appearances are unmistakable - with audiometry to document any conductive loss. Mild disease needs only prevention (well-fitted surf plugs, hood, thorough drying) and prompt treatment of infections; obstructive or repeatedly infected canals are treated by canalplasty, drilling or chiselling the bone away to restore a normal calibre, increasingly via minimally invasive transcanal techniques - after which plugs remain essential, because exostoses can slowly recur with continued exposure. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem currently take 20-45+ weeks, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant ENT surgeon. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Exostoses (surfer's ear).
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is exostoses (surfer?
Exostoses (surfer is a diagnosis used by clinicians to describe a specific pattern of symptoms or findings. It's usually confirmed after a proper assessment, since several conditions can look similar at first.
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Why does exostoses (surfer happen?
Exostoses (surfer can arise from several different underlying mechanisms, and in many cases more than one factor contributes. Identifying likely causes usually forms part of the initial specialist work-up.
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How would I know if I have exostoses (surfer?
Symptoms of exostoses (surfer vary from person to person and can range from mild and easily missed to significant enough to affect daily life. Because overlapping conditions can produce similar symptoms, a clinical assessment is the most reliable way to confirm what's actually going on.
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Can exostoses (surfer cause complications?
Most cases of exostoses (surfer are manageable with appropriate care, though, like many conditions, it can occasionally lead to complications if left unassessed or untreated. Your clinician can give you a realistic sense of the risks based on your specific presentation.
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Is exostoses (surfer hereditary?
In most cases exostoses (surfer isn't straightforwardly inherited, though family history can sometimes be a relevant background factor. A clinician can help you understand whether it's worth mentioning relatives' health when being assessed.
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Is there a cure for exostoses (surfer?
Exostoses (surfer can often be managed effectively, and in some cases prevented or reversed, with the right combination of lifestyle changes, medication or other targeted treatment. A specialist will tailor the approach to your circumstances rather than applying a one-size-fits-all plan.
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How is exostoses (surfer treated?
Treatment for exostoses (surfer is usually built around the severity of your symptoms and any underlying cause found on assessment, and may involve lifestyle measures, medication, physiotherapy or, in some cases, a procedure. Your specialist will discuss the pros and cons of each option with you before agreeing a plan.
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What's the outlook for exostoses (surfer?
The outlook for exostoses (surfer varies widely depending on the underlying cause, how early it's diagnosed, and how it responds to treatment. Many people see significant improvement with appropriate care, and your specialist can give you a more personalised timeframe once they've reviewed your case.
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Could exostoses (surfer be confused with another condition?
Because several conditions can share similar symptoms to exostoses (surfer, clinicians often consider a short list of possibilities before confirming a diagnosis. This is one of the main reasons a proper assessment, and sometimes targeted tests, matters more than relying on symptoms alone.
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When should I see a doctor about exostoses (surfer, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
It's worth seeking medical advice if symptoms of exostoses (surfer are persistent, worsening, or affecting your daily life, rather than waiting for them to resolve on their own. NHS routine referrals for this kind of assessment can take anywhere from around 20 to 45+ weeks, whereas private consultants typically offer an appointment within about two weeks.