Harry Enfield has been left partially deaf after developing bone growths in his ears from wild swimming in north London ponds. The 65-year-old comedian revealed he has 'extra bones growing in his ears' due to regular swimming at Highgate Men’s Pond on Hampstead Heath.
Speaking on the Off Menu podcast, Enfield said he went to get hearing aids fitted but was diagnosed with exostoses, commonly known as surfer's ear. 'They said, 'No, you've got big bones – stalactites – that have grown in your ears. Do you do a lot of freshwater swimming?' I said, 'Well, yeah'. They said, 'Ah, that's what it is',' he explained.
Exostoses occurs when repeated exposure to cold water and wind irritates the ear canal, causing the body to grow new bone. The growths can lead to hearing loss, ear wax retention and infections. Enfield joked his ears were like a 'little cave' and blamed 'rotting corpses at the bottom' of the ponds.
Enfield said he could have the growths 'chopped off' but described the process as 'very painful and take a long time'. He also spoke about exploiting pensioner perks at the ponds, saying he takes his cap off and claims to be an old age pensioner to swim for free before 9am.
The actor, known for characters like Kevin the Teenager and Loadsamoney, previously discussed his hearing loss on The Third Act podcast, saying he was 'getting very deaf and I just cannot hear in restaurants'.
