Your Audiology Tutorial: Exostoses

The above shows an outer ear canal with protrusions known as exostoses at the 8-9 and 11 O'clock positions. The tympanic membrane (ear drum) is visible in the posterior of the canal. Exostoses are benign yet abnormal bony growths which eminate from under the thin layer of skin and can grow to proportions that can block the canal sufficiently to disallow the clinican a proper view of the drum.

This condition is known as "surfer's ear" as these growths often occur in patients who spend much time in cold water. For long time swimmers or surfers, the growths can become multiple and obstructing, sometimes requiring surgery. It is a teacherous procedure, as damage to the external canal, drum, and/or even beyond (inner ear, nerves) is possible.

Usually though, exostoses are asymptomatic, requiring only periodic monitoring via otoscopy (otoscopes are devices that are used to examine the ear canal and drum). In my experience, one potential problem involves the desire of a patient to wear a deep fitting hearing aid (like the implantable Lyric). The prescence of exostoses narrows the canal diameter and makes such fittings uncomfortable or even impossible.