Harry Enfield has disclosed that his daily habit of swimming in cold water has resulted in partial hearing loss.
The 65-year-old, celebrated for creating iconic characters including Kevin the Teenager and Loadsamoney, received a diagnosis of exostosis after years of regular swims at Highgate Ponds in north London.
The condition, commonly referred to as surfer's ear, causes abnormal bone formations to develop within the ear canal following prolonged exposure to chilly water.
"I'm deaf, partially deaf," Mr Enfield stated.
Harry Enfield enjoyed cold water swimming for years
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"And because I swim in Highgate Ponds, I've got stalactites in my ears."
Mr Enfield uncovered his condition when attempting to purchase new hearing aids, which he described as small and highly effective despite their considerable cost.
"So I went to get them fitted," he recounted on the Off Menu podcast.
"They said, 'No, you've got big bones, stalactites, that have grown in your ears.
The comedian discovered his condition when shopping for hearing aids
| BBC"Do you do a lot of fresh-water swimming?' I said, 'Well, yeah'. They said, 'Ah, that's what it is'."
The medical professionals identified the bony growths immediately upon examination, linking them directly to his regular freshwater swimming routine at the north London bathing spot.
Exostosis develops gradually over many years when cold water and wind repeatedly irritate the ear canal, prompting the body to produce new bone tissue.
The growths can cause problems including trapped earwax, infections of the ear canal skin, and diminished hearing, typically affecting both ears.
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The Princess of Wales is a self-declared fan of open water swimming
| GETTYWhen informed that surgical removal was an option, Mr Enfield replied: "You can have them chopped off, but it's very painful and takes a long time.
"I'd sooner not hear what you're saying."
The procedure to remove the bone growths is known to involve a lengthy recovery period.
Cold-water swimming has gained significant popularity as a wellness practice in recent years.
The sport has been championed by figures such as Joe Wicks, Oprah Winfrey and the Princess of Wales, who declared in 2023: "I love swimming, the colder the better.
"When it's dark, and it's raining, and I'll go and seek out cold water, I love it."
Mr Enfield developed 'surfer's ear' due to partaking in the popular wellness habit
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Dutch motivational speaker Wim Hof has been credited with bringing frequent cold exposure into the mainstream.
Mr Enfield previously discussed his deteriorating hearing on The Third Act podcast, revealing he was "getting very deaf" and struggled to hear conversations in restaurants, often requesting that venues switch off background music.