17/08/2025
Bob Allo sent this review of his experience coming to South Africa from Australia for his ear surgery. He has had his ears drilled before and was able to compare the two experiences ….
“SURFERS EAR SURGERY - Review for Dr Martin Young Surfer's Ear Clinic using the Chisel method!
I recently travelled from Sydney to South Africa, to have my (Surfers ear) exostoses removed by Dr Martin Young ENT, in Knysna in the Cape. He is one of a small number of ENTs worldwide who use a chisel for this surgery, rather than the drill method that is used by most ENTs worldwide.
Im happy to relate my personal experience, as a reference for Dr Young and the method he uses.
My surgery was as straightforward as I’d hoped it would be. On top of that, my wife and I enjoyed a holiday in the Cape, following the surgery.
Im 70 yo and Ive surfed and swum all of my life, often in cold water, leading to exostoses growth, no doubt helped by the fact that Ive never used earplugs in the water!
I’d already had them drilled out in Sydney, 25 yrs ago for one ear and 15 years ago for the other. Fortunately I didn’t suffer any hearing damage as a result of those surgeries. Maybe I was just lucky, maybe because my body was younger back then.
I recall the drill surgery as being highly invasive, painful, uncomfortable for weeks and full recovery took 6-8 weeks.
My ears had reached the stage where I was needing to use swimmers ear drops 2-3 times daily after the surf or even just showering (not advisable long term, as they can dry out and even split the eardrum I’m told). I was regularly suffering ear infections.
After a lot of online research, as well as a friend’s recommendation, I had a teleconsult with Dr Young and decided to proceed.
Travelling to South Africa for surgery is a big thing, especially with so much negative noise around the country, but I went with my eyes wide open and was fairly confident of a successful outcome.
The main reasons I decided on travelling to see Dr Young and have the chisel method.
1. I wanted to avoid having both my ears drilled again (2 separate surgeries, around 3 hours each) and risk hearing damage/loss/tinnitus, particularly at an older age, as I am.
2. The chisel method is less invasive and generally allows the surgeon to operate on BOTH ears during the same surgery.
3. Surgery tends to be quicker, often 2 hours for both ears.
4. Much faster, less complicated recovery.
5. Back in the water quicker.
My experience:
1. Both ears were operated on and because my exostoses were straightforward, Dr Young took 1 hour to do both ears.
2. The anaesthetist was professional and extremely thorough.
3. The day hospital was organised and professional.
4. No hearing issues as a result of my surgery.
5. No pain, just a bit of jaw discomfort, now wearing off.
6. My ears were packed for 1 day, then cleaned out by microsuction the following day, then left open to heal, no further packing required.
7. I saw Dr Young every other day for a week, for post-surgery cleaning and checkups - quick visits.
8. I used cotton wool/vaseline over my ears, when showering for the first 10 days.
9. The exchange rate for the Rand against the A$ worked in our favour. The total cost in SA (by chisel method) for both ears, was way less than the likely cost for one ear being drilled out in Sydney.
10. Allow for flights, car rental, accommodation and make a trip of it. Again, the exchange rate works in yr favour when in SA.
11. 4 weeks later having had a successful surgery, had my ears sorted and had an awesome trip around Knysna /Cape Town,
I’m back home and back in the surf - now wearing earplugs!
I believe the number of ENTs using the chisel method, number around 20; maybe 3 in S Africa, 15 or so in the US and 1 in Japan.
If you think yr ears are in need of surfers ear surgery at some stage, there are several good posts/clips around. In particular, the Youtube clip from Jake Holland on Martin Young’s website is a cracker - my experience was similar to his, worth a look!
Finally, a big shout out to Dr Martin Young for his responsiveness and info he provided, prior to my visit and for his understated but professional approach to the surgery and checkups.
And that’s pretty much it, best of luck whichever way you go!”
