Serving the water sports community of Forster, Tuncurry, and the broader Mid North Coast for since 2021, Dr Nguyen has extensive experience treating ear canal exostoses in surfers, swimmers, divers, and other water enthusiasts. The pristine waters of our region attract many water sports lovers, but repeated exposure to cold water can lead to protective bony growth in the ear canals.
Exostoses are bony growths that develop inside the ear canal as the body's natural response to repeated exposure to cold water. These growths develop gradually over years of water exposure, typically affecting both ears but often more severely on one side. The condition gets its nickname "surfer's ear" because it's extremely common in surfers, though any regular water activity in cool conditions can trigger development.
Early exostoses may cause no symptoms, but as growths enlarge, patients notice hearing loss or muffled hearing, especially after water exposure, frequent feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear, increased ear infections due to trapped water and debris, difficulty with ear wax removal and cleaning, and water becoming trapped in the ear canal after swimming or showering.
Exostoses typically develop slowly over 5-15 years of regular water exposure, starting as small ridges barely visible on examination, gradually enlarging to partially obstruct the ear canal, and potentially completely blocking the ear canal in severe cases. The growth rate varies significantly between individuals based on genetics, water temperature exposure, frequency of water activities, and protective measure usage.
The Mid North Coast's combination of excellent water sports conditions and year-round activity creates ideal circumstances for exostoses development. Our region's water temperatures, averaging 16-24°C throughout the year, fall within the range that triggers bony growth responses. The consistent southerly winds and regular swells encourage extended water exposure periods.
Many Forster water sports enthusiasts notice their exostoses begin affecting their activities through balance issues related to hearing changes, communication difficulties with other water sports participants, safety concerns from reduced environmental awareness, and equipment fit problems with earplugs or diving equipment.
Surgery is considered when conservative management fails to control symptoms adequately, hearing loss significantly impacts quality of life or professional activities, recurrent infections occur despite preventive measures, or ear canal obstruction prevents effective cleaning and maintenance.
Dr Nguyen performs exostectomy using advanced microsurgical techniques in Sydney, ensuring optimal outcomes for Forster-area and Sydney area patients.
Exostectomy typically takes 2-3 hours per ear under general anaesthesia, involving careful drilling and removal of excess bone growth while preserving healthy ear canal skin and structure. Dr Nguyen's advanced techniques minimise complications and optimise healing for active patients.
Whether managing exostoses conservatively or after surgical treatment, long-term prevention strategies help maintain ear health while supporting continued water activities.
Not necessarily - Dr Nguyen works with patients to maintain water activities while managing ear health. Many Forster water sports enthusiasts successfully continue their activities with proper protection and management strategies. Even after surgery, most patients return to full water activities within 2-3 months.
Exostoses typically develop over 5-15 years of regular cold water exposure. The rate varies significantly between individuals based on genetics, water temperature, exposure frequency, and protection usage. Many Forster residents notice changes after 8-12 years of regular water activities.
Surgery is only necessary for moderate to severe cases that don't respond to conservative management. Dr Nguyen's approach emphasizes prevention and conservative management first, with surgery reserved for cases where quality of life is significantly affected.
Exostectomy has excellent success rates when performed by experienced ENT surgeons. Based on Dr Nguyen's audited outcomes with our Mid North Coast patients, exostectomy surgery achieves significant hearing improvement with a dramatic reduction in ear infections and a successful return to water activities for virtually all patients.
Recurrence is possible but can be minimised with proper post-surgical protection. Dr Nguyen provides comprehensive prevention strategies including custom ear protection and activity guidelines to minimise recurrence risk while maintaining active lifestyles.
Exostoses themselves typically aren't painful, but complications can cause discomfort. Pain usually results from trapped water, infections, or aggressive cleaning attempts. The condition primarily causes hearing changes and increased infection susceptibility.
Most cases develop in people who started regular water activities in their teens or twenties. However, Dr Nguyen treats patients from early twenties to seventies, depending on when they began water activities and individual susceptibility factors.
Are you noticing hearing changes, water trapping, or frequent ear infections that might be related to your water sports activities? Has "surfer's ear" been gradually affecting your enjoyment of Forster's excellent water conditions?
Dr Nguyen's specialised experience with exostoses in our regional water sports community ensures expert evaluation and treatment planning that supports both optimal ear health and continued water activities.
Schedule Your Exostoses Evaluation. Expert assessment including detailed ear canal examination and personalised management planning
