Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate incidence of Surfer's ear (SE) in the international deaf surfer's competition.
Materials and Methods: The ear canals of 84 deaf surfers aged between 15 and 58 were endoscopically examined. Degree of each canal stenosis was classify into 4 groups , from 0 to III.
Results: SE was observed in 49 (58%) cases out of 84 surfers. Incidence of Grade I, Grade II and Grade III, were 30 ears (35%), 11 ears (13%), 9 ears (9%) respectively. The degree of canal obstruction caused by exostosis became severe with increase of years of surfing experience and with the number of sessions per week. When we define the Surfing index (SI), as multiplatinum of these parameters, the risk of gradeII and III SE is higher in surfers with SI scores more than 20.
Conclusions: Because the number of surfers has been steadily growing, and some of them keep surfing for a long time. Otolaryngologists should realize their role not only in the treatment of SE but also in the prevention of SE, for the surfers to keep surfing with the good external ear canal condition as long as possible.
