Key facts
- Cold water swimming has seen a significant rise in popularity.
- Repeated exposure to cold water can cause bone growth in the ear canal, known as exostosis or 'surfer's ear'.
- This bone growth can form 'stalactites' in the ear canal.
- The condition is common among surfers and swimmers.
The increasing popularity of cold water swimming has brought attention to a condition known as exostosis, commonly referred to as 'surfer's ear'. This condition arises from repeated exposure to cold water, which stimulates abnormal bone growth within the ear canal. Over time, these bony growths can develop into formations resembling 'stalactites', potentially leading to hearing loss and other ear-related complications for individuals frequently immersed in cold aquatic environments.