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Hospitals at Saolta University Health Care Group

Sligo University Hospital shortlisted for the Irish Healthcare Awards

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Team at Sligo University Hospital has been shortlisted for the Irish Healthcare Awards under the ‘Sustainable Healthcare Project of the Year’ category.

Sligo University Hospital providing skin cancer advice at the Ploughing Championships

Experts from the Dermatology Department at Sligo University Hospital will be at the HSE Stand at the National Ploughing Championships from 18 to 20 September to offer skin cancer information to visitors.

Sligo University Hospital’s Endoscopy Department achieves JAG Accreditation

Last month, following completion of an in-depth accreditation checklist and site assessment, the Endoscopy Department at Sligo University Hospital was successfully awarded accreditation through the UK based accreditation programme for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy known as the Joint Advisory Group or JAG.

The JAG accreditation is regarded as one of the most innovative in the healthcare sector and focuses on a model of care which is patient-centred and work force based.

Sligo University Hospital - Big Switch Off

Over the August bank holiday weekend, Sligo University Hospital took part in the “Big Switch Off” organised by the Office of Public Works and the HSE’s National Health and Sustainability Office. The aim was to conserve as much electrical and thermal energy as possible across the campus over the weekend and the efforts will be repeated over the October bank holiday weekend.

Green Campus information and health screening day at Sligo University Hospital

To celebrate European Sustainability Energy day and European Obesity Day, Sligo University Hospital hosted a ‘Green Campus’ health screening day for staff, patients and service users in its main foyer on 16 May.

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Information for Open Water Swimmers, Surfers, Kayakers and all Cold Water Athletes

What is Surfer’s Ear?

Well for starters, it’s not just for surfers. In fact, all cold water athletes are at risk of developing the condition. Surfer’s Ear is a medical condition clinically known as External Auditory Canal Exostoses (EACE) or Exostoses, which is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind.

Exostoses are formed in response to a continuous change of temperature within the ear canal. As cold water regularly swirls along the ear canal, the body responds by warming the affected area, this also stimulates bone-producing cells within the ear canal, which cause the bone surrounding the ear to develop a bony growth.

These benign bone growths can lead to infections, water trapping, hearing loss and complete closure of the ear canal if left untreated

The condition develops slowly over time and it may take 10 to 15 years for the symptoms to appear.

Cause?

Research shows that Surfer’s Ear is most likely in exposure to cold water below 19deg. In Ireland, the water is usually at its warmest in August and even then the average temperature ranges from 13 to 17 degrees. The bottom line is – the water in Ireland is always too cold for our ears!

Surfer's Ear Clinic

Doctors from Sligo University Hospital held a Surfer’s Ear clinic to raise awareness of the condition.         

 

 
What does Surfer’s Ear look like?

                                                                             

How do you protect your ears?

Wear earplugs.

The advice couldn’t be simpler; this truly is a practical and cost-effective way to reduce your risk of developing exostoses. Hearing loss associated with wearing earplugs was identified through our study as the main deterrent for athletes across all sporting disciplines. However, modern earplugs are not only discrete but also let sound in and keep water out.

What to do if you are worried?

Visit your GP and ask him/her to check your ears. Your GP may then refer you to your nearest hospital to see a specialist Ear Nose and Throat doctor to examine your ears further.

Research at Sligo University Hospital

A team of consultants, doctors and staff from the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department conducted a year-long project to examine Irish cold water athlete’s awareness and understanding of exostoses as well as athlete’s attitudes towards preventative measures such as wearing earplugs.

The ENT team held five “Surfer’s Ear Clinics” which examined almost 100 cold water athletes, concluding that 1 in 2 athletes had Surfer’s Ear.

The Irish Institute of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery provided Dr Seamus Boyle, ENT SpR at the hospital, with financial support in the form of a small grant to progress this research. The Institute plans to work with him to expand this project, as outlined by Professor Nash Patil in the video below:

                                                                                     

Questionnaire
Calling all triathletes, surfers, open water swimmers, sub aqua and non-water athletes –  help us with our research 'To Determine Water Athletes Awareness of Surfers Ear or Exostosis and Attitudes to wearing Ear Plugs', click here

 

Information coming soon