What Northlanders need to know this summer
Protect your ears, stay in the water, and avoid unnecessary infections.
As we head into another beautiful Northland summer, many of us will spend long days surfing, diving, swimming, paddling and enjoying our moana. But with more time in the water also comes a common—and often overlooked—risk: surfer’s ear, also known as external auditory canal exostoses.
At Tūhauora Clinic, we see these cases frequently, especially among keen surfers, free divers, spearfishers and swimmers. With a little awareness and the right prevention, you can stay in the water and avoid painful infections or future surgery.
What is Exostoses (Surfer’s Ear)?
Exostoses are bony growths that develop in the ear canal after repeated exposure to cold water and wind. Over time, these growths narrow the ear canal.
You may not notice them at first, but as they progress they can trap water and debris, leading to:
• Recurrent ear infections
• Water getting stuck in the ear
• Hearing loss
• Difficulty equalising when diving
• Blockages that make cleaning or examining the ear nearly impossible
• In severe cases, needing surgical removal
Northland’s colder eastern coastline makes exostoses particularly common among our surfing and diving communities.