# Hearing health risks in aquatic sports

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hearing-health-risks-in-aquatic-sports
> Updated: 2026-08-15T19:41:25.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2.

Medical experts have issued warnings regarding hearing health risks associated with aquatic sports. Professor Mario Turri Zanoni, head of Otorhinolaryngology at Cantù Hospital and professor at the University of Insubria, has highlighted the risk of ‘surfer’s ear’, or exostosis of the external auditory canal.

This condition involves the progressive and abnormal growth of bone tissue within the ear canal as a benign response to chronic exposure to wind and cold water, which creates a ‘humid and ventilated microclimate’. While frequently linked to surfers, the condition can also affect divers, sailors, canoeists, kitesurfers, windsurfers, and regular swimmers, particularly those practicing in cold lakes or seas.

Symptoms may include a sensation of a clogged ear, difficulty removing stagnant water, or recurring external otitis. In advanced stages, the bone growth can narrow the ear canal and compromise hearing capacity.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-15: Water sports enthusiasts face risk of ‘surfer’s ear’

Medical experts warn that water sports enthusiasts face risks of ‘surfer’s ear,’ a bone growth in the ear canal caused by chronic exposure to cold water and wind.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aquatic-sports-pose-risk-of-surfers-ear-bone-growth

### 2026-08-10: Hearing aid users receive expert advice for safe physical activity

Expert Eberhard Schmidt advises on protecting hearing aids during sports, recommending headbands to absorb sweat and caution during combat or water sports to prevent device damage or injury.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hearing-aid-users-advised-on-safety-precautions-during-sports

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Cite as: Hearing health risks in aquatic sports. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hearing-health-risks-in-aquatic-sports