Plunging your self into chilly water is an more and more common wellness exercise believed to enhance psychological and bodily well being – however for Harry Enfield, it’s had an antagonistic impact.
The comic, 65, has spent years taking day by day swims in nippy temperatures, however docs advised him he’d developed well being points along with his ears as a consequence.
Enfield was not too long ago recognized with exostosis, which is extra generally generally known as “surfer’s ear”. The NHS lists the situation as “the abnormal growth of bone in the ear canal caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind”, noting it could possibly trigger listening to loss and infections.
He learnt the information whereas getting fitted for listening to aids. The comedy star, finest identified for his creations comparable to Kevin the Teenager and Loadsamoney, advised Off Menu podcast: “I’m partially deaf and, because I swim in Highgate Ponds, I’ve got stalactites in my ears.”
Enfield continued: “They’ve got tiny little hearing aids you can get now and apparently they’re very good. They cost a fortune, but they’re worth having. So I went to get them fitted.
“They said, ‘No, you’ve got big bones – stalactites – that have grown in your ears. Do you do a lot of fresh water swimming?’ I said, ‘Well, yeah.’ They said, ‘Ah, that’s what it is.’”
Enfield mentioned that the stalactites will be “chopped off”, however recommended he’d “sooner not hear what you’re saying” to keep away from the “painful” surgical procedure.
Cold water swimming has risen in recognition in the previous couple of years, with a research in 2024 estimating that round 1.2 million Brits had joined an area group specialising within the exercise.
Famous figures who’ve extolled the virtues of the development embrace Harry Styles, Nick Cave and Kate Middleton,
According to Mark Harper, medical advisor to the Outdoor Swimming Society and Consultant Anaesthetist at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, chilly water swimming can “produce positive health benefits and give us the confidence and physical and mental ability to endure other stresses in the future.”
Researchers have additionally discovered that menopausal girls who recurrently swim in chilly water report important enhancements to their bodily and psychological signs – and the exercise is discovered to enhance menstrual signs.
But consultants consider that the advantages are merely anecdotal and will be subjective as responses differ from individual to individual.