Ear plug recommendations

studog

Duke status
Jan 15, 2003
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my doc says i've got mild bone growth in my ear. guess it's time to try ear plugs to prevent full blown surfer's ear. Anyone got some good plug recommendations? pretty sure surf cat swears by a certain kind but can't remember the name
 

nickpheous

Michael Peterson status
Apr 8, 2008
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Huntington Beach



just get these. they're something like $3 for 2 pair and they work great and are the most comfortable ones i've tried.

doc's proplugs are probably the best but they only come in 4 sizes and none of them fit my ear right. they all took in water
 

retodd

Duke status
Feb 23, 2009
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i have found the best to be the bright orange kind you buy at CVS or Target. if those are to hard try the soft purple ones .

docs pro plugs are good but more expensive and i have two different size ear holes so not worth it to me. its no fun when you lose them .

the wax / silicone ones SUCK
 

studog

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Jan 15, 2003
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i have found the best to be the bright orange kind you buy at CVS or Target. if those are to hard try the soft purple ones .

docs pro plugs are good but more expensive and i have two different size ear holes so not worth it to me. its no fun when you lose them .

the wax / silicone ones SUCK
thanks all for the info
docs pro plugs are the ones I was think of. looking at their site they have a pretty good selection of sizes. the vented kind look interesting as it says you can still hear sound <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" /> but their sizing instruction SUCKS. got to either just buy a pair or get their specialized sizing tool <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
 

studog

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Jan 15, 2003
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Any surf shop that sells Doc's should have the sizing tool and be able to size you up in a couple of seconds.
anyone know of shops in So-cal (ventura, LA, OC) that carry them <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" /> their site has no distribution info.
 

PReD

Billy Hamilton status
Apr 11, 2008
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I've got some hearos they work well, double it up with a hood for super protection...plus you can ignore the donkey behind you harassing you for snowballing his wave! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applause2.gif" alt="" />
 

Hdip

Michael Peterson status
Apr 23, 2005
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Malibu, CA
All surf shops have them. That's what I've found anyway. When I bought some years ago I did it at val surf. This last winter though I just bought some that looked like those macks. Then cut off the stem so my hood didn't push them into my ears.

I used the vented pro plugs. They still affect sound and hurt my ears more than the cheap kind do.
 

afoaf

Duke status
Jun 25, 2008
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parrot, here...soul performance on artesia.

there's got to be something on the north side though, I'm sure.
 

bigsurfer67

Billy Hamilton status
Dec 29, 2008
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The Macks soft silicone ones work good enough for me. They do get dirty and less pliable over time, but usually last for multiple sessions. If in the event one falls out, just take the other one out of the ear, and break it in half for the other ear.
 

VCaba21

Michael Peterson status
Mar 6, 2006
1,839
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South OC
Yep, the bright orange ones from CVS, etc..., that you just stick in your ears work great for me.
My doctor surfs and recommended those specific ones. He uses them due to same problems , they're comfortable and cheap. I have 90% closure in one ear, 95% in the other ear and have had no problems or ear infections since I started wearing these about two years ago. I have problems fitting the Docs and frankly I didn't find them very comfortable. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
 

sofradis

Nep status
Aug 18, 2008
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my ENT recommends wearing a hood.
according to him earplugs don't help much to prevent the bone growth, they help to prevent infections once you've got surfer's ear. But the Hood is the best way to prevent it in the first place
 

kool-aid

Michael Peterson status
Aug 28, 2003
3,026
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San Francisco
Not sure about ear plugs preventing bone growth but reducing flushing of cold water should create some preventative measure...i have no idea,

either way, after a year of surfing with plugs, first season, i will never go back.

I use the cheap purple ones that you can get at any drug store. Don't think I've even ever lost one...they help a lot even when wearing a hood.

I'll use them in the summer also..
 

studog

Duke status
Jan 15, 2003
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my ENT recommends wearing a hood.
according to him earplugs don't help much to prevent the bone growth, they help to prevent infections once you've got surfer's ear. But the Hood is the best way to prevent it in the first place
i've tried a hood and got water stuck in my ear after duck diving <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" /> wouldn't that continue the surfer's ear problem <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
 

Bonzer111

OTF status
Apr 19, 2010
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San Diego, CA
I've never worn ear plugs and have never had an ear infection. I usually give it a day or two after a hard rain before getting back in the water.

What's this about bone growth?... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
 

need 4 speed

Phil Edwards status
Nov 1, 2003
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SoCal
Wore(and lost)Doc's for years until I found Mack's ear seals
I've had exostosis surgery done on both of my ears.Can't surf without them.
 

studog

Duke status
Jan 15, 2003
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CA
I've never worn ear plugs and have never had an ear infection. I usually give it a day or two after a hard rain before getting back in the water.

What's this about bone growth?... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
me too. but lately i've had that water in the ear feeling after most of my sessions which i thought was a symptom of surfer's ear. at 37 i figure it could be a start of a problem so while at the doc today for a checkup on other things I asked him to look at my ears for closure. he said it looked like mild bone growth had occurred. time to start using ear plugs i guess <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
 

studog

Duke status
Jan 15, 2003
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CA
Wore(and lost)Doc's for years until I found Mack's ear seals
I've had exostosis surgery done on both of my ears.Can't surf without them.
losing docs looks to be pretty common <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
will try the macks. they seem to be affective and easy to find in stores.