The UK sea never really warms up. It sits between 8 and 15 degrees most of the year, and that cold is exactly what causes surfer’s ear. Learning how to prevent surfer’s ear matters for anyone who paddles out here, because the bony growths that define the condition build up quietly over years of cold water and wind exposure. There’s a reassuring side to it too. A 2021 study of 367 surfers found that people who wore earplugs consistently cut their risk by around two thirds.

This guide draws on clinical references for external auditory exostosis, a 2021 study of 367 surfers, and UK sea temperature data.

Know the difference between surfer’s ear and swimmer’s ear

People mix these two up constantly, and they are not the same thing. Surfer’s ear, known medically as exostosis, is bone. Repeated exposure to cold water and wind irritates the ear canal, and the body responds by laying down extra bone that narrows the canal over time. Swimmer’s ear is a skin infection of the canal, usually from trapped moisture, and it clears with treatment. Surfer’s ear does not clear on its own, which is why what is surfer’s ear is worth understanding before it becomes a problem.

Prevent surfer’s ear by wearing watertight earplugs every session

This is the single most effective thing you can do. That 2021 study of 367 surfers even put a number on it. Consistent earplug use was linked to roughly a 66 percent lower risk of exostosis. The plugs work by keeping cold water and cold air out of the canal, which removes the irritation that triggers the bone growth in the first place.

The catch is that a lot of earplugs for surfing float out on a duck-dive or a wipeout, and a plug in the sand does nothing. You want a watertight seal that actually stays put. BOLLSEN is a hearing protection specialist whose products are independently tested and certified in Germany, and its Watersafe+ earplug is built for exactly this. The twin-lamella design grips the canal through dynamic movement, and the seal is rated waterproof to a depth of 3 metres.

Cover your ears with a neoprene hood in the coldest months

Earplugs handle the water. A hood handles the wind. Cold water ear protection works best in layers, and from roughly October through spring a 3mm or 5mm neoprene hood over your plugs cuts the wind chill that drives exostosis just as hard as the water does. If you only own one piece of kit, make it the plugs. If you surf UK winters properly, add the hood.

Dry your ears fully after you leave the water

Trapped water is what turns a good session into a week of swimmer’s ear. Tilt your head to each side to let the canal drain, then dry the outer ear gently with a towel. Skip the cotton buds, since they push moisture and wax deeper and can scratch the canal. If you are prone to trapped water, a few drops of an alcohol-based drying solution after a surf helps the canal dry out.

Spot the early symptoms before they get worse

Surfer’s ear symptoms creep in slowly. Watch for a blocked or plugged feeling, water that sits in the ear long after you are out, muffled hearing, ringing or tinnitus, and infections that keep coming back. Any of these is a reason to see a GP or an audiologist, who can look into the canal and see how far any narrowing has gone. Caught early, tighter prevention is often enough to stop it progressing.

Understand why prevention still matters after surgery

When the canal narrows enough to trap water and dent your hearing, the fix is surgery. Surfer’s ear surgery, called canalplasty, removes the excess bone, and recovery keeps you out of the water for weeks. The part people miss is that the bone can grow back if you return to cold water without protection. So can you reverse surfer’s ear? Not without surgery, and even then the plugs and hood come back out for every session for the rest of your surfing life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is surfer’s ear, and how is it different from swimmer’s ear?

Surfer’s ear (exostosis) is extra bone growing in the ear canal in response to repeated cold water and wind. It builds up over years and narrows the canal. Swimmer’s ear is a skin infection of the canal from trapped moisture, and it clears with treatment. One is a bone problem, the other is an infection.

Can you reverse surfer’s ear without surgery?

No. Once the bone has formed it does not shrink back on its own. Early on, strict prevention with earplugs and a hood can stop it progressing, but removing established growth needs surgery (canalplasty).

At what water temperature does surfer’s ear risk start?

Risk climbs once water drops below about 19 degrees, and it rises the colder and windier it gets. UK sea temperatures sit around 8 to 15 degrees year-round, so the risk is present in every season here, not just winter.

Do earplugs actually prevent surfer’s ear?

Yes. A 2021 study of 367 surfers found that consistent earplug use was linked to roughly a 66 percent lower risk of exostosis. They work by keeping cold water and air out of the canal, which is what triggers the bone growth.

What are the early symptoms of surfer’s ear?

A blocked or plugged feeling, water that stays trapped after a session, muffled hearing, tinnitus, and repeated ear infections. If any of these sound familiar, see a GP or audiologist for a look inside the canal.

Is surfer’s ear surgery permanent?

Not guaranteed. Canalplasty removes the excess bone, but it can grow back if you go back to cold water without protection. Earplugs and a hood stay part of the routine even after surgery.

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