Surfers ear

The Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Department at Sligo University Hospital (SUH) was the winner of the Irish Healthcare Centre Award for the Best Use of Social Media for their work to raise awareness of Surfer’s Ear. The condition, which is also called External Auditory Canal Exostoses, can affect anyone who takes to the open water regularly causing bony growths to develop in the ear canals and can lead to repeated ear infections and even hearing loss.

As the summer approaches and more people take to open water, Dr Seamus Boyle who works in the ENT Department at Sligo University Hospital is on a mission to create greater awareness of Surfer’s Ear.

The condition, which can affect everyone who is exposed to cold water over time, causes bony growths to develop in the ear canals and can lead to repeated ear infections and even hearing loss. The advice on protecting your ears is very simple - wear ear plugs.