“Exostosis of the external ear canal is a disease unique to man. It has been identified in prehistoric man...” according to DiBartolomeo, in a paper titled ‘Exostoses of the external auditory canal’[1]. Aural exostoses are typically firm, sessile, multi-nodular bony masses which arise from the tympanic ring of the bony portion of the external auditory canal. These growths develop subsequent to prolonged irritation of the canal. Also known as “Surfer’s ear”, since the most common cause of exostosis is frequent exposure to cold water, making this a condition that affects surfers at a higher rate than the average population[2]
Swimmer's ear, as defined by The Mayo Clinic, is an infection in the outer ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to the outside of your head. The medical term for swimmer's ear is otitis externa. Symptoms often occur after water gets trapped in the ear, with subsequent spread of bacteria or fungal organisms. Because this condition commonly affects swimmers, it is known as swimmer's ear.