Imagine diving into the crisp waves of New Zealand’s coastline, only to find your ears plagued by discomfort or muffled hearing. Exostoses, often called surfer’s ear, are bony growths in the ear canal caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind. At ENT Central in Palmerston North, Dr. Naveed Basheeth employs cutting-edge endoscopic techniques to gently remove these growths, restoring clear hearing, alleviating discomfort, and safeguarding your ear health with a personalized, minimally invasive approach that gets you back to the activities you love.
How are exostoses diagnosed?
Dr. Basheeth uses an otoscope to examine the ear canal, often supplemented by CT imaging to map the size and location of bony growths, ensuring an accurate diagnosis.
Is the procedure painful?
Performed under anesthesia, the endoscopic exostectomy is virtually pain-free, with only mild, manageable soreness post-procedure, soothed by tailored aftercare.
Can exostoses return after treatment?
While surgery effectively removes growths, continued cold water exposure may cause recurrence. Preventive earplugs and proper ear care significantly reduce this risk.
How can I prevent exostoses?
Wearing custom-fitted earplugs during water sports, thoroughly drying your ears after exposure, and avoiding cotton swabs help protect your ear canal from irritation.