Surviving Surfer's Ear

A while ago we took a look at the weird sh*t that surfers get, and it included a bit about Surfer’s Ear. Turns out quite a few local surfers have had their ears drilled. Local goofy-footer Etienne Potgieter is the latest unlucky recipient of what is the ear’s equivalent of root canal.

So ET, how come you had to undergo the drill?

I used to get hectic ear-ache a few years ago, which then seemed to ease up. But then over December after every duck dive water would get into my ear and then stay stuck there – I couldn't shake it out. I went to see the Doc who said I had 2 growths across the ear canal. Off to the specialist, Dr Nel, who said I had to get them surgically removed.

Do you think it was purely surf-related, or maybe also because you spend a lot of time in the snow as well as the water?

He reckoned it was just from surfing. The cold water going in and out your ear all the time irritates the ear canal and it forms bony growths to try protect itself.

What did the procedure entail? They go in through, or behind, your ear?

There are 2 ways of approaching it – one from behind the ear and the other through the ear canal itself. My doc went through the ear canal. Basically he cuts back that lil bump at the entrance to your ear and pulls it back outta the way. 

Sticks a few guidewires in the canal to hold it open. Then he pops a scope in there, and looking through that chips and chisels away at the lumps using a mini-drill. Takes a good coupla hours.

Was it eina?

You come out of theatre with a wad of gauze stuck in your ear, over which is the equivalent of an eye patch, and that’s strapped on with a bandage around your head. The first coupla days are sore – but not as bad as I imagined. They give you some pretty strong painkillers to start with.

And recovery time?

The gauze stays in there for about 2 weeks, with the ear patch over it. So obviously you can’t hear a thing in that ear. You also have to be really careful with it as the skin that he had to fold outta the way was put back in place - but is very delicate and is easy to dislodge. That gets tricky because it gets really itchy after a week or two, but you can’t scratch it.

So the annoying thing about the recovery is not so much pain, but rather the irritation value. An itchy ear you can’t scratch. And the inconvenience of not being able to get it wet or lie on it. You can’t lie on that side as it can’t take pressure. Sneezing ain't fun! And I had to shower whilst holding a cup over my ear so it didn't get it wet!

How long you outta the water?

He pulled the gauze out after 2 weeks, and at my 3 week check-up he said he was happy with it and I could get in the water again. But everyone’s recovery is different – it is generally 4-6 weeks dry-docked.

The important thing is to really listen to the doc and keep it dry until he gives you the all clear. If you try cheat too early and get it wet, it just lengthens the whole recovery process.

Am assuming it’s not something you’d recommend as a fun thing to do! Did your doc give you any advice about preventing a recurrence?

He told me to use prestik in my ear for the first week back in the water – but after that said I didn’t have to do anything. He felt long term use of prestik or ear plugs was just as much of an irritation to the ear canal as the water going in and out.

I do carry around a few bottles of Aqua-ear these days – and pop a few drops in after my surfs. It just helps evaporate any water that may get stuck in there, as well as having an anti-bacterial component.

ET taking the docs' advice seriously - stay outta the cold wind. And what better place to hide than the barrel?

And long term prognosis?

It really differs from person to person. Some people are lucky enough not to get it recurring, but others get it back again within a few years. Which just means you have to have the op again.

A word of warning

Don’t leave it too late! If the lumps have grown across the ear canal to the point where the doc can’t see the ear drum through the gap anymore, then he can’t operate. And then you’re screwed.

So if you’re struggling with continuous ear infections, or battle with water getting stuck in your ear all the time – go get it checked out sooner rather than later.

Better to keep your ears happy rather than facing a date with the drill. 

Wanna check out what other weird sh*t surfers get? Have a look here.