Mr Ameeth Sanu is a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon at Sancta Maria Hospital, Swansea, offering private consultations on Wednesday mornings. He has extensive experience across the full range of ENT conditions and holds two pioneering clinical distinctions: he was the first clinician in Wales to introduce eustachian tube balloon dilation surgery, with the procedure performed for the first time at Sancta Maria Hospital, and he invented the Swansea technique, a novel published approach to surfer’s ear surgery performed entirely underwater.

Specialist Interests

• Eustachian tube dysfunction and balloon dilation surgery
• Endoscopic ear surgery (keyhole middle and inner ear surgery)
• Surfer’s ear (exostosis) and the Swansea technique
• Hearing loss and tinnitus
• Vertigo and dizziness
• Nasal surgery
• Paediatric ENT
• Non-cancerous head and neck surgery
• Thyroid surgery
• Ear reshaping

Conditions Treated and Procedures Offered at Sancta Maria Hospital

Ear

• Eustachian tube dysfunction assessment and balloon dilation surgery
• Hearing loss assessment and management
• Tinnitus assessment and management
• Vertigo and dizziness assessment and treatment
• Endoscopic middle ear and inner ear surgery
• Surfer’s ear (exostosis) correction using the Swansea technique
• Ear reshaping (otoplasty)
• Paediatric ear surgery including glue ear

Nose

• Nasal obstruction and breathing problems
• Septoplasty and functional nasal surgery
• Sinus assessment and surgery

Throat and Neck

• Non-cancerous head and neck surgery
• Thyroid surgery
• Snoring assessment and management

Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation: A Welsh First

Mr Sanu is the first surgeon in the private sector in Wales to offer eustachian tube balloon dilation surgery, with the procedure first performed at Sancta Maria Hospital. Eustachian tube dysfunction affects an estimated 5 to 10% of the population, with symptoms ranging from a persistent blocked sensation and pressure to hearing loss and the feeling that the eardrum is about to burst. Many patients are told nothing can be done; Mr Sanu’s specialist expertise means there is now a highly effective surgical option available privately in Wales.

Endoscopic Ear Surgery

Mr Sanu specialises in endoscopic ear surgery, a minimally invasive keyhole technique of middle ear and inner ear microsurgery performed entirely through the ear canal, without the need for an incision behind the ear. This approach results in less pain, faster recovery and no visible scarring compared to traditional open ear surgery.

The Swansea Technique: Surfer’s Ear Surgery

Mr Sanu has developed and published a pioneering surgical technique for treating exostosis of the external auditory canal, commonly known as surfer’s ear, a condition caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind that causes bone to grow progressively within the ear canal. His technique, known as the Swansea technique and published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, is performed underwater. He advises patients to seek assessment when they notice water sitting in the ear after swimming or surfing rather than clearing easily, ideally before the canal reaches 90 to 95% closure.

Research and Teaching

Mr Sanu conducted research in nasal physiology at the Common Cold Centre in Cardiff during his surgical training and was awarded an MPhil by Cardiff University. He is Lead Faculty for training ENT surgeons at Morriston Hospital and is President of the Welsh Endoscopic Otology Society, a role that takes him around the world teaching and learning cutting-edge minimally invasive ear surgery techniques.

NHS Practice and Leadership

In his NHS practice, Mr Sanu works across Morriston, Singleton and Neath Port Talbot Hospitals within Swansea Bay University Health Board. He is Clinical Director of the Head and Neck Surgery Unit at Morriston Hospital.