ear drilling - bony exostoses

Hey Dumpy, give me a coat hanger bottle of scotch and a paper knife and I can do it for you for a hundred bucks.

Seriously, I went through this recently with my daughter, she sees a specialist who we have been going to for years and we were disappointed when he retired. We were still able to contact him and ask who he would recommend. His recommendation meant we drew the ace card, because we got ourselves a doctor who I believe is better that our original one. These guys all talk to each other to get opinions, so they know what each others business is and have a pretty good feel on who they want to be associated with and who not. Try and contact your old doctor and ask him the question, if he was going to get the procedure done, who would he use?

Good Luck!

Good idea to speak to your GP first- I am told that not many surgeons perform this procedure via the ear canal but they are around and I know of at least one in Victoria. If your GP doesn't know any try to find out whether ENTs have a peak body or association and give them a ring. The surgeon I know about would be well known in Melbourne as he also teaches surgery in public hospitals.

I had this done about a year ago - but I am in Perth which obviously dosn't help you. Great doctor though. To Charles - You can't see the growth, it tends to be a bit further down your ear canal, but if you visit a doctor he will tell you straight away. A blocked ear is a sure sign - this is how mine started as water can't drain out of it properly due to the bone growth. By the time I had it drilled I effectively had a pinhole gap through to my ear drum left. My other one will need the same but I will wait until I have to have to done because recovery is slow and a bit of a drag to be honest.

I had both of my ears done approx 12 months ago! I am in Brisbane and it took a couple of months to find the right doctor to do this! The surgeon that I used had the option of removing the exostosis via the canal, but in my case due to the size of what I had he went externally! Neat incision at the base of the ear! I just advise anyone to get it done asap if they know that water is being caught in the ear and ear infections are getting frequent!

try dr bruce black if youre in s.e. qld. has reamed over two thousand ears and most are down the canal. bruce has only nicked that critical facial nerve a few times....6 weeks recovery ,then back in the water.....he will tell you that it will grow back unless you use earplugs,but some patients have had it re occur even with using earplugs.

I had me ears done, best feeling in the world getting the gause removed, I can hear you.

Hey

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good Doctor/Clinic/Practice in Victoria to get my ears done. It was suggested a couple of years ago by a GP l would need to get them drilled but l've delayed. Now after 5 weeks in Indo I'm sure its time. Not really comfortable with the whole deal so i'm hoping to find a surgeon with plenty of experience.

Thanks
Sarge

Neil Vallance is your man Sarge.

Can anyone recommend someone in Adelaide - I'm in the same boat as Sarge.

i had one done a long time ago and it looks like i'm looking down the barrell at the next one. it seems in adelaide surgeons are loathe to do the procedure due to losing the transporters of natural wax migration and possible tinitis. one G.P. told me maybe i should give up surfing. yeah and sex,drinking and gambling. good advice to me was to get at least 2 opinions.good luck with the operation.

I live on the Gold Coast but travelled to Adelaide to get mine done. I was referred to DR Darcy Economos by a relative doctor in Adelaide.

He is very busy so it takes a few months to get the 1st consult after that he gets you into theatre within a week or two.

The operation is not pleasent but healing is quick. You may hear all the horror stories of six months out of the water etc. but its all bullshit. My ear was 95% blocked but was back in the water within 3 weeks of the op.

I got to get the other one done soon and have no reservations about going to Adelaide for the operation again.

Just ensure you have private cover that covers the procedure.

Keep us posted how it goes.

Good Luck

Thanks Rattle

I had my left ear done and I don't recommend it at all eh, its grown back, the recovery was shite and I swear I can still hear his drill in my earhole to this day, white noise style tinitus...blue tak earplugs every surf for me now, you can get used to the blue tak. I've also read keeping your ears plugged up the exostosis can actually recede over time. If I had my time again and knew what I know now, I would never have done it.
Just my opinion of course...Lenny.

Exostosis will grow back if exposure to cold water continues and once drilled a person's ears are more prone to regrowth if effective ear plugs are not worn in all cold water situations. It seems to be also true that some people as more or less prone to exostosis (DNA lottery) and therefore it can run in families. My personal experience is that I had tinitus type noise in my ears before the operations and that has continued but to a lesser extent since. The constant ear infections and deafness caused by trapped water that plagued my life before the operations are long gone. Preventing exostosis by using ear plugs is way better than the treatment.

I recommend you to consult a doctor. Stay away from water. I mean to say that try that water doesn't go inside your ears you can do this with the help of the surfing earplugs. aussieearplugs(.)com(.)au