The short version
- Of 17,897 seafarers helped by Italy’s CIRM radio medical centre from 2023 to 2025, 751 (4.2%) had an ear, nose or throat problem[1].
- The ear dominates: ear symptoms and inflammation 38%, middle ear infection 13.5%; throat infection (tonsillopharyngitis) was 24%[1].
- Deck crew made up 30.4% of ENT cases and the deck department 48.7%; cargo ships 42.2%, tankers 34%[1].
- A separate 2026 study found eye and ear drops were 8.7% of all prescriptions at sea, with ear drops prescribed 40 times and nasal medicines 202 times[2].
How often ENT problems reach the radio doctor
The newest data comes from CIRM, the Italian radio medical centre. Sagaro, Guarneri and Amenta reviewed every telemedical case from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025 and pulled out ear, nose and throat diagnoses[1].
| Diagnosis[1] | Cases | Share of ENT cases |
|---|---|---|
| Ear symptoms and inflammation | 286 | 38.0% |
| Tonsillopharyngitis | 180 | 24.0% |
| Acute or middle ear infection | 101 | 13.5% |
| Other upper respiratory infection (pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis) | 81 | 10.8% |
| Hearing and balance disorders | 32 | 4.3% |
| Other ENT conditions | 28 | 3.7% |
| Acute otitis externa | 25 | 3.3% |
| ENT trauma | 18 | 2.4% |
Four in ten ENT calls were about the ear alone, and ear problems of every kind together were the main reason for ENT consultations[1]. The authors call ENT a small but noteworthy share of telemedical cases[1].
Who gets them: age, rank and ship type
| Group[1] | Share of ENT cases |
|---|---|
| Aged 30 to 39 | 39.3% |
| Under 30 | 21.0% |
| Deck crew (rank) | 30.4% |
| Engine crew (rank) | 19.3% |
| Deck department (worksite) | 48.7% |
| Engine department (worksite) | 36.2% |
| Cargo ships | 42.2% |
| Tankers (including LPG and oil/chemical) | 34.0% |
| Bulk carriers | 15.0% |
Compared with all other cases, ENT patients were more often under 30 (21.3% vs 16.8%) and more often deck officers (19.7% vs 15.4%), and the differences by age, rank and nationality were statistically significant[1]. Differences by worksite and vessel type were not[1]. In plain terms: ENT problems follow the crew member more than the ship.
ENT cases against every other call
The study compared the 751 ENT cases with the 17,146 non-ENT cases[1]. Where a group shows up more often in ENT than in other calls, that is where ear and throat cover matters most.
| Group[1] | ENT cases | All other cases |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | 21.3% | 16.8% |
| 50 and over | 17.1% | 21.6% |
| Deck officers | 19.7% | 15.4% |
| Deck crew | 32.5% | 36.3% |
| European seafarers | 38.0% | 22.0% |
| Women | 2.0% | 1.2% (difference not significant) |
Younger crew and deck officers are over-represented in ENT calls; older crew are under-represented[1]. The biggest gap is nationality: European seafarers were 38% of ENT cases against 22% of other cases[1]. The study does not explain why, so treat it as a pattern to watch, not a cause.
A pre-voyage ENT check for the medical officer
| Check | Why, from the data |
|---|---|
| Ear drops in date and stored correctly | Ear complaints are the top ENT call[1]; MLC inspection checks expiry and storage[3] |
| Throat and sinus treatment set by a physician | Throat and other upper respiratory infections are over a third of ENT cases[1] |
| Decongestant and antihistamine, one of each | Nasal medicines 202 and antihistamines 431 prescriptions in the Danish data[2] |
| Hearing protection issued in the engine room | Noise and vibration are named working hazards[1] |
| Crew told to report ear pain or hearing change early | Hearing and balance disorders are 4.3% of ENT cases[1] |
What it means for the medicine chest
The prescribing data points the same way. In 11,698 prescriptions from Radio Medical Denmark, eye and ear care made up 8.7% of everything prescribed: 979 eye drop and 40 ear drop prescriptions[2]. Nasal medicines reached 202, antihistamines 431 and oral antibiotics 1,690[2].
- Ear care first. Ear complaints lead the ENT data[1]; ear drops, an otoscope the crew can describe findings from, and clear instructions belong in the kit.
- Throat and sinus cover. Tonsillopharyngitis and other upper respiratory infections are over a third of ENT cases[1]; pain relief and the physician’s chosen antibiotic list cover most of them[2].
- Decongestants and antihistamines, with one product per need rather than many overlapping ones[2].
- Hearing and balance problems are rarer (4.3%)[1] but can affect safe watchkeeping; they need a physician’s call, not guesswork.
MLC 2006 asks flag inspectors to check that every medicine’s labelling, expiry date and storage are in order, at least every 12 months[3]. For stocking by usage data, see the medicines ships actually use and how to stock a ship medicine chest.
Noise is part of the picture
The authors list noise and vibration among the working conditions behind seafarers’ medical calls[1]. MLC 2006 tells flag authorities to pay particular attention to noise and vibration and other ambient factors in crew accommodation[3]. For an operator, hearing complaints in the engine department are a signal to check hearing protection and quiet rest areas, not only the medicine chest.
What this data cannot tell you
The CIRM figures count seafarers whose ship called for radio medical advice[1], so minor ear or throat problems handled aboard without a call are not included. The data shows what reaches a doctor, not how common ENT problems are per crew member.
Discovery Health MD turns this into a better chest and a clearer plan: ear, nose and throat cover sized to your crew through ship medical chest management, a physician-set list of pain relief and antibiotics through maritime medical consulting, and lawful controlled pain relief through controlled substances management. Send us your chest list and we will check your ENT cover against this data. For the wider picture, read the most common injuries on ships.
Common questions
How common are ear, nose and throat problems at sea?
In CIRM’s 2023 to 2025 data, 751 of 17,897 telemedical cases (4.2%) were ENT conditions[1].
What is the most common ENT problem for seafarers?
Ear symptoms and inflammation, 38% of ENT cases, followed by tonsillopharyngitis at 24% and middle ear infection at 13.5%[1].
Which crew members get ENT problems most?
Seafarers aged 30 to 39 (39.3%) and deck crew (30.4%) made up the largest groups, and the deck department accounted for 48.7% of cases[1].
Does the type of ship matter?
Most cases came from cargo ships (42.2%) and tankers (34%), but the difference from non-ENT cases by vessel type was not significant[1].
How often are ear drops used at sea?
Radio Medical Denmark recorded 40 ear drop prescriptions and 979 eye drop prescriptions among 11,698 prescriptions over three years[2].
Should a ship carry ear drops?
Ear problems lead ENT calls at sea[1], and eye and ear care is 8.7% of prescribing[2], so ear care belongs in the chest. The exact product is a physician’s choice; see ship medicine chest requirements by flag state.
Can noise on ships affect hearing?
The study lists noise and vibration among seafarers’ working hazards[1], and MLC 2006 requires flag authorities to pay attention to noise and vibration in accommodation[3].
