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Hospitals at Saolta University Health Care Group

Sligo University Hospital Midwifery Project wins Irish Healthcare Award

Sligo University Hospital Midwifery Project wins Irish Healthcare Award

An initiative to improve patient safety in the Maternity Department at Sligo University Hospital was the winner of the Midwifery Led Project at the CMG Irish Healthcare Awards held in Dublin recently.

Sligo University Hospital statement relating to Status Red weather warning

Sligo University Hospital statement relating to Status Red weather warning

Following the upgrade of the weather warning last night by Met Eireann to Status Red for the entire country today (Thursday March 1st), Sligo University Hospital (SUH) has cancelled routine electives and outpatient appointments today and tomorrow (Friday 2nd ). This includes ante-natal clinics due to take place today in Ballyshannon and Carrickonshannon. 
  

Sligo University Hospital looking for volunteers to lead the way

Sligo University Hospital looking for volunteers to lead the way

Sligo University Hospital is calling for people who are interested in becoming Meet and Greet Volunteers in the hospital. Volunteers provide assistance to patients and visitors to Sligo University Hospital, their role is to help with directions, answer general enquiries and in essence, be a ‘go to’ information point at the hospital.

Healing Through Arts

Healing Through Arts

Sligo IT pilot first MEDEX programme outside of DCU

Sligo University Hospital and Sligo IT pilot first MEDEX programme outside of DCU

Physiotherapy Department at Sligo University Hospital  in collaboration with Sligo IT pilot first MedEx programme outside of Dublin City University since its establishment in 2006. MedEx is a novel, community-based rehabilitation and exercise programme for people with a chronic illness or disease.  

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Information for Open Water Swimmers, Surfers, Kayakers and all Cold Water Athletes

What is Surfer’s Ear?

Well for starters, it’s not just for surfers. In fact, all cold water athletes are at risk of developing the condition. Surfer’s Ear is a medical condition clinically known as External Auditory Canal Exostoses (EACE) or Exostoses, which is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind.

Exostoses are formed in response to a continuous change of temperature within the ear canal. As cold water regularly swirls along the ear canal, the body responds by warming the affected area, this also stimulates bone-producing cells within the ear canal, which cause the bone surrounding the ear to develop a bony growth.

These benign bone growths can lead to infections, water trapping, hearing loss and complete closure of the ear canal if left untreated

The condition develops slowly over time and it may take 10 to 15 years for the symptoms to appear.

Cause?

Research shows that Surfer’s Ear is most likely in exposure to cold water below 19deg. In Ireland, the water is usually at its warmest in August and even then the average temperature ranges from 13 to 17 degrees. The bottom line is – the water in Ireland is always too cold for our ears!

Surfer's Ear Clinic

Doctors from Sligo University Hospital held a Surfer’s Ear clinic to raise awareness of the condition.         

 

 
What does Surfer’s Ear look like?

                                                                             

How do you protect your ears?

Wear earplugs.

The advice couldn’t be simpler; this truly is a practical and cost-effective way to reduce your risk of developing exostoses. Hearing loss associated with wearing earplugs was identified through our study as the main deterrent for athletes across all sporting disciplines. However, modern earplugs are not only discrete but also let sound in and keep water out.

What to do if you are worried?

Visit your GP and ask him/her to check your ears. Your GP may then refer you to your nearest hospital to see a specialist Ear Nose and Throat doctor to examine your ears further.

Research at Sligo University Hospital

A team of consultants, doctors and staff from the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department conducted a year-long project to examine Irish cold water athlete’s awareness and understanding of exostoses as well as athlete’s attitudes towards preventative measures such as wearing earplugs.

The ENT team held five “Surfer’s Ear Clinics” which examined almost 100 cold water athletes, concluding that 1 in 2 athletes had Surfer’s Ear.

The Irish Institute of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery provided Dr Seamus Boyle, ENT SpR at the hospital, with financial support in the form of a small grant to progress this research. The Institute plans to work with him to expand this project, as outlined by Professor Nash Patil in the video below:

                                                                                     

Questionnaire
Calling all triathletes, surfers, open water swimmers, sub aqua and non-water athletes –  help us with our research 'To Determine Water Athletes Awareness of Surfers Ear or Exostosis and Attitudes to wearing Ear Plugs', click here

 

Information coming soon