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Prevalence and severity of external auditory exostoses in breath-hold divers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 March 2008

P W Sheard  and
M Doherty
P W Sheard*
Affiliation:
School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK
M Doherty
Affiliation:
School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Peter W Sheard, Division of Sport and Exercise Sciences, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, C212 Park Square, University of Bedfordshire, Luton LUI 3JU, UK. E-mail: peter.sheard@beds.ac.uk
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Abstract

Objective:

To explore the prevalence and severity of external auditory exostoses in a population of experienced breath-hold divers, and to compare these to the same parameters within surfing and self-contained underwater breathing apparatus diving populations.

Design:

A stepwise, multiple regression analysis of cross-sectional data examining the relative contributions of sea surface temperature, latitude of exposure and years of exposure to the prevalence and severity of stenosis due to external auditory exostoses. A chi-square analysis of the prevalence and severity of external auditory exostosis stenosis in the breath-hold divers was compared with previously published data for surfers and self-contained underwater breathing apparatus divers.

Subjects:

Seventy-six male and thirty-five female breath-hold divers attending an international ‘freedive’ competition completed a questionnaire describing aquatic sports habits, geography of participation and symptomatology. Those completing the questionnaire (111/154 attendees) were examined otoscopically for evidence of external auditory exostoses. Images were digitally recorded, scored and graded.

Results:

Exostoses were evident in 87.7 per cent of the 204 ears scored and graded for severity of stenosis due to external auditory exostoses. The prevalence of exostoses was no different from that found in previous studies of surfers and self-contained underwater breathing apparatus divers (p = 0.101). However, the pattern of affliction was more similar to that found in surfers. The severity of exostoses was significantly less than that found in surfing populations (p ≤ 0.001 to 0.007), but greater than that found in self-contained underwater breathing apparatus diving populations (p ≤ 0.001). Sea surface temperature at the location of open-water exposure was the most significant predictor of the prevalence and severity of external auditory exostoses in breath-hold divers (p = 0.019).

Conclusion:

The prevalence and severity patterns of stenosis due to external auditory exostoses in breath-hold divers are more similar to previously published results for surfing populations than to previously published results for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus diving populations. In breath-hold divers, sea surface temperature is the strongest predictor of severity of stenosis due to external auditory exostoses.

Keywords

ApnoeaDivingAuditory Canal, ExternalExostoses
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 11 , November 2008 , pp. 1162 - 1167
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

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Footnotes

Presented in part at the 35th Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Scientific Meeting, 28–30 June 2002, San Diego, California, USA.

Published in part as Sheard PW. Exostoses of the external auditory canal in competitive breath-hold divers. Undersea Hyperb Med 2002;29:69.

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