hey K-man,
I had a giggle at the use of the term "selective hearing". My mum will tell you I've had it for years
I was born with a hearing defect in my right ear. As a result of this i'am only able to hear from my left ear, which is heavily affected with surfers ear.
The operation that has been discussed is an option for me but the ENT surgeon that i see, says i need to set aside a couple of months out of my life where i'am prepared to not be able to hear anything(no working,no surfing). Which as you would imagine, sucks balls.
To combat this situation the ENT suggests i have a bone anchored hearing aid inserted in the back of my skull. So i can hear "something" when my good ear is operated on.
To cut a incredibly long story short the hearing aid surgery was a complete failure. My body rejected the spare parts they put into the back of my head and i ended up walking around with an open wound the size of a matchbox behind my right ear for 9 months. I think maybe the ENT was testing my pain threshold before he told me we should abort (it's supposed to heal in 3 months).
The purpose of the above fabel was to point out that no surgery of any kind is minor. I'ts worth getting a few opinions before you jump into anything.
Oh yeah,
a good mate of mine had the surgery to clear surfers ear, last year. The surgeon did such a bad job of sewing his ear back on my mate is now known around these parts as prince charlie
and my local GP who is also a kneeboarder

will tell you that surfers at my beach suffer bone growth worst in their right ears. Over the hill in Avoca the get it worst in their left. All due to prevailing onshore wind direction!