Surfer’s Ear in Neanderthals

Surfer’s ear, medically known as external auditory exostoses, is marked by abnormal bony growths in the ear canal. Though its name suggests a modern affliction tied to surfing, this condition has deep evolutionary roots, even in our ancient relatives, the Neanderthals. The prevalence of surfer’s ear among Neanderthals has offered researchers fascinating insights into their lives, their adaptability, and their interaction with aquatic environments.

The Causes and Effects of Surfer’s Ear

Surfer’s ear develops when the ear canal is repeatedly exposed to cold water or wind, triggering a defence mechanism in the body. The ear canal narrows as bony growths form to shield the eardrum from environmental stressors. While the condition may initially go unnoticed, it can lead to complications over time, such as trapped water, recurrent ear infections, and even hearing loss.

In modern times, surfer’s ear is commonly associated with water sports enthusiasts, especially those in colder climates. Surfers, divers, kayakers, and sailors are among those most frequently diagnosed. However, the condition is not new. Fossil evidence shows that Neanderthals, who lived tens of thousands of years ago, experienced the same ailment, revealing unexpected aspects of their behaviour and lifestyle.

Surfer’s Ear in Neanderthals: A Surprising Discovery

The connection between surfer’s ear and Neanderthals came to light through the work of paleoanthropologists examining fossilised skulls. In a groundbreaking study, researchers analysed the ear canals of 23 Neanderthal remains and found that nearly 50% displayed signs of external auditory exostoses. This rate is significantly higher than that observed in ancient modern humans, whose incidence of the condition was closer to 25%.

This finding suggests that Neanderthals spent considerable time in or near water. Unlike today’s surfers, Neanderthals were not catching waves for recreation. Instead, their aquatic activities likely centred on survival, such as foraging for fish, molluscs, or other marine resources. The high prevalence of surfer’s ear among Neanderthals is particularly compelling given the limited direct archaeological evidence of their interaction with aquatic environments. Tools or fish remains linked to Neanderthal sites are rare, but the condition itself serves as biological evidence of their watery exploits.

What This Tells Us About Neanderthals

The discovery of surfer’s ear in Neanderthals challenges outdated stereotypes of them as crude, landlocked hunters. Instead, it highlights their adaptability and cognitive sophistication. Foraging in aquatic environments requires more than physical effort—it involves strategic planning, seasonal knowledge, and an understanding of local waterways. These capabilities suggest that Neanderthals were highly resourceful and flexible, traits that likely contributed to their survival across diverse and often harsh climates.

Neanderthals lived approximately 400,000 and 40,000 years ago, inhabiting a vast range stretching from Europe to western Asia. This period encompassed fluctuating climates, from glacial conditions to milder interglacial phases. The presence of surfer’s ear across various Neanderthal sites indicates that their aquatic foraging was not limited to coastal regions but likely extended to rivers, lakes, and other freshwater sources.

This behaviour might also help explain some of their dietary patterns. While isotopic analysis of Neanderthal bones has shown that they primarily consumed terrestrial animals, the occasional inclusion of aquatic resources would have provided valuable nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, crucial for brain development and overall health.

The Evolutionary Implications

The high prevalence of surfer’s ear in Neanderthals underscores their ability to exploit diverse environments for survival. It also raises intriguing questions about their evolutionary adaptations. Did Neanderthals develop physiological traits that made them more susceptible to exostoses, or were they simply more reliant on aquatic resources than their contemporaries?

While early modern humans from the same era showed fewer cases of surfer’s ear, their survival strategies may have differed. Modern humans likely relied more heavily on tools, trade, and social structures to obtain food, reducing the need for direct aquatic foraging. In contrast, Neanderthals’ hands-on approach to sourcing food may have required more frequent water exposure, leaving behind this distinctive marker in their fossil record.

Treating and Preventing Surfer’s Ear Today

Surfer’s ear remains a common condition among water sports enthusiasts, but modern medicine offers effective solutions. The definitive treatment for advanced cases is surgical removal of the bony growths. The procedure typically involves using chisels or drills to carefully clear the ear canal. Depending on the severity and proximity of the growths to the eardrum, the surgery may be performed through the ear canal or via an incision behind the ear.

Recovery from surfer’s ear surgery requires careful management. Patients must avoid water exposure for several weeks, often using earplugs or protective headgear to prevent recurrence. If precautions are not taken, the condition can re-develop over time, necessitating further intervention.

Prevention remains the best approach for modern surfers and divers. Wearing earplugs or hoods designed to protect the ears from cold water can significantly reduce the risk. These simple measures highlight the contrast between modern humans, who can mitigate the condition with technology, and Neanderthals, who faced it as an unavoidable consequence of their environment and lifestyle.

A Glimpse Into the Neanderthal Mind

The discovery of surfer’s ear in Neanderthals provides a unique window into their lives and challenges us to rethink how we view our ancient relatives. Far from being primitive, Neanderthals were adaptive and resourceful, capable of navigating and exploiting a variety of landscapes, including aquatic ones. Their ability to endure the physical demands of foraging in cold water speaks to their resilience and ingenuity.

This insight into their behaviour also brings us closer to understanding them as individuals. Surfer’s ear, though a medical condition, humanises Neanderthals by connecting them to a tangible aspect of modern human experience. Just as today’s surfers and divers take to the water for sustenance or sport, so too did Neanderthals—though for them, it was likely a matter of survival.

Beyond the Fossil Record

The study of surfer’s ear in Neanderthals builds on a growing body of evidence that redefines their capabilities. From creating tools to crafting symbolic art, Neanderthals demonstrated behaviours once thought to be exclusive to modern humans. This evolving understanding has profound implications for how we perceive human evolution and the shared traits that bind us to our ancient relatives.

At The Audiology Place, we’re fascinated by the intersections of ancient and modern audiology. Whether exploring the evolutionary roots of conditions like surfer’s ear or providing cutting-edge solutions for ear health today, we are dedicated to helping you hear the full story—past, present, and future.

For more information on managing ear health or to schedule a consultation, visit us at The Audiology Place. Together, we can navigate the currents of human history and ensure your hearing remains clear and vibrant.

References

Slimak, L., Vimala, T., Seguin-Orlando, A., Metz, L., Zanolli, C., Joannes-Boyau, R., Frouin, M., Arnold, L. J., Demuro, M., Devièse, T., Comeskey, D., Buckley, M., Camus, H., Muth, X., Lewis, J. E., Bocherens, H., Yvorra, P., Tenailleau, C., Duployer, B., Coqueugniot, H., … Sikora, M. (2024). Long genetic and social isolation in Neanderthals before their extinction. Cell genomics, 4(9), 100593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100593

Trinkaus, E., & Villotte, S. (2017). External auditory exostoses and hearing loss in the Shanidar 1 Neandertal. PloS one, 12(10), e0186684. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186684

Trinkaus, E., Samsel, M., & Villotte, S. (2019). External auditory exostoses among western Eurasian late Middle and Late Pleistocene humans. PloS one, 14(8), e0220464. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220464

Dr Signe Steers

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