Body modification isn't exactly a new phenomenon. We saw this guy last year who started identifying as a 'transhumanist', with more than 100 modifications including silicone horns. But recently, a man went the extra mile when he traveled all the way from Australia to the Calm Body Modification studio in Stockholm, purely to get the inside of his ears cut out. Yep, you read that right. According to the studio's Facebook and Instagram, the procedure is called a 'conch removal', and involves taking out the 'concha' the middle bit of the outer ear. It's also known as the auricle or the pinna. Chai Maibert, who owns the studio, wrote on social media: "Fresh #conchremoval on @charlesvbentley who traveled around the world from Australia to have this procedure performed by me at @calmbodymodification. Truly humbled!"The image is clearly taken quite soon after the removal took place so it might not look as grim once it's healed...People certainly had a lot to say about the conch removal, with many taking the opportunity to well and truly rip into 'Charles'.One user on Facebook wrote: "Sips IPA: 'stretched lobes are so mainstream. Having my ears removed is like...you know...spiritual'..."While another simply said: "Well here it is. The stupidest shit I've ever seen."Not all the comments were negative, though, with one girl posting: "I personally think this looks rad."
Obviously aware that the internet would have questions about the unusual procedure, Chai addressed the obvious concern that it would affect your hearing."It might impair your ability to hear the direction of sound for the first week or two until your mind has adjusted to your new ears. Hearing from behind will in fact improve."Our ears don't 'catch' sound as it did aeons of years ago when our ears were bigger hence why we have to create a bigger 'ear' by cupping our hand around our ear to hear better."Well, that's OK then sounds like science to me. Unfortunately, an audiologist didn't agree with Chai's reasoning. Sar Gilani wrote: "As an audiologist, this is really making my eyes bleed. The whole post, picture, everything. Please for the love of your own ears and hearing, do not get this procedure done thinking it won't make a difference to your hearing."Please use your brain with common sense before getting such procedures done. Please."I think I'm probably going to pass on this one.