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3 results

  • Awareness and attitudes towards external auditory canal exostosis and its preventability in surfers in the UK: cross-sectional study

  • S Morris, T Martin, D Mccahon, S Bennett
  • Journal:
    The Journal of Laryngology & Otology / Volume 130 / Issue 7 / July 2016
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    06 June 2016, pp. 628-634
    Print publication:
    July 2016
  • Objectives:

    To determine the proportion of UK surfers aware of external auditory canal exostosis, to identify surfer characteristics associated with knowledge of the condition and to explore attitudes to earplug use.

    Method:

    An online, cross-sectional survey of UK-based surfers.

    Results:

    Of 375 surfers, 86.1 per cent (n = 323; 95 per cent confidence interval = 82.3–89.3) reported awareness of external auditory canal exostosis. Further investigation revealed that, despite their awareness of the condition, 23.4 per cent of these surfers (88 out of 323; 95 per cent confidence interval = 19.5–28.0) had little or no knowledge about external auditory canal exostosis. Predictors of knowledge included: distance from nearest surfing beach (p = 0.001), surfing standard (ability) (p = 0.008), earplug use (p = 0.024) and positive external auditory canal exostosis diagnosis (p = 0.009).

    Conclusion:

    The findings suggest that a significant minority of UK surfers have no knowledge about this condition. Knowledge of external auditory canal exostosis was significantly associated with earplug use when surfing. Efforts to improve surfers’ knowledge are required to enable surfers to better protect themselves, which could reduce the incidence of external auditory canal exostosis.

  • Is Blu-tack as effective at attenuating sound as over-the-counter ear plugs?

  • G J Watson, G Trainor, A E Camilleri
  • Journal:
    The Journal of Laryngology & Otology / Volume 127 / Issue 6 / June 2013
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    24 April 2013, pp. 574-577
    Print publication:
    June 2013
  • Objective:

    To demonstrate that Blu-tack is equally effective at attenuating sound as over-the-counter ear plugs.

    Methods:

    Nineteen healthy volunteers had their hearing thresholds assessed before and after the insertion of over-the-counter ear plugs. The results were compared with hearing thresholds following the insertion of Blu-tack. Thresholds were tested at: 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz. The differences were compared, and p values of less than 0.02 were regarded as significant. Using a visual analogue scale, volunteers were asked to assess the comfort and ease of insertion of the ear plugs and Blu-tack, and their peace of mind whilst using the ear plugs and Blu-tack.

    Results:

    Blu-tack was less effective at attenuating sound at low frequencies, but was as effective as over-the-counter ear plugs at attenuating sound above 3 kHz. Blu-tack was significantly more comfortable to wear (p = 0.006). There was no difference in terms of ease of insertion and peace of mind.

    Conclusion:

    Blu-tack can be regarded as a comfortable alternative to over-the-counter ear plugs for the attenuation of everyday sound.

  • Ear protection as a treatment for disruptive snoring: do ear plugs really work?

  • S Robertson, S Loughran, K MacKenzie
  • Journal:
    The Journal of Laryngology & Otology / Volume 120 / Issue 5 / May 2006
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    17 February 2006, pp. 381-384
    Print publication:
    May 2006

  • Background: In the absence of surgical treatments with demonstrable long-term efficacy, conservative treatments for snoring remain appropriate. Only limited evidence evaluating the use of ear protection by partners has been published.

    Methods: Eligible couples were invited to participate in a two-month trial, with each partner using custom-moulded ear plugs. Five questionnaires were completed by patients and their partners, at baseline and after two months: the snoring outcomes survey (SOS) or the spouse/bed partners survey (SBPS), the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), the Nottingham health profile (NHP) and the Golombok–Rust inventory of marital status (GRIMS).

    Results: After two months, there was a significant improvement in the SOS score for patients (p = 0.005), the SBPS score for partners (p = 0.001) and the ESS for partners (p = 0.004).

    Conclusions: For selected couples, ear plugs represent an effective short-term treatment for some of the social effects of disruptive snoring, as determined by the SOS, SBPS and ESS questionnaires.