About 10 years ago, my doctor told me I had 98% closure in both ears and he recommended surgery to clear the calcium and to help prevent future ear infections. After he explained the procedure, I chickened out and decided to try Doc's earplugs instead. They are available at most surf shops for about $12 in small, medium, large and extra large-with a leash or without. One of the good things about them is that they offer a "vented" version which makes it easy to hear sounds around you. About once a year, I still get excruciating ear infections, but they seem to go away after a few days. I'm now 56 and wouldn't surf (expecially in the cold winter water) without them. Hindsite is 20/20. Wish I would have flossed more too.
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Ear plug recommendations
- Thread starter studog
- Start date
Ditto. I had one ear operated. The other is like 85-90 closed. My ear doc said to wear a hood. Ear plugs are for the infections. If it's under 62 degrees I have my hood on. After that I wear plugs - "Earplanes." In my opinion the plugs are more uncomfortable than the hood.
I also use 50-50 rubbing alcohol / distilled white vinegar eardrops to prevent infections.
I've had my Doc's for years and never lost them. You just have to get them fitted tight. Also go with the vented kind, its nice to be able to hear when your out there. You can also get them with a cord so if they come out you don't lose them.
Agree buy them tight and after losing a few pairs I learned the hard way and bought one of these
I adjust the plastic string to allow enough string for each side and loop. Then I attach loop to snap swivel and attach snap side to zipper.
hood /no hood:
my Dr.told me hood does little
plugs keep the cold water out of the ear canal
With the way my ear canal is post surgery
If I surf without plugs I risk ruptured ear drum
Happened twice so far
my Dr.told me hood does little
plugs keep the cold water out of the ear canal
With the way my ear canal is post surgery
If I surf without plugs I risk ruptured ear drum
Happened twice so far
Docs plugs hurt my ears horribly and HearOs didn't seem to keep the water out at all. So far the best thing I've used is the cheap clear silicone putty earplugs from the local drugstore. They don't completely seal the water out but they are super comfy and they prevent the cold water flush. I'm still searching for the perfect pair of plugs.
There is a hearing aid store about an hour away that will make custom molded plugs that are supposedly the bomb but they cost like sixty bucks. Worth it I'm sure but I always forget to go when I'm up there.
Surfers ear is no joke. Most of the older guys around are half deaf and battle with infections annually and more than a couple have had surgery, with mixed results.
There is a hearing aid store about an hour away that will make custom molded plugs that are supposedly the bomb but they cost like sixty bucks. Worth it I'm sure but I always forget to go when I'm up there.
Surfers ear is no joke. Most of the older guys around are half deaf and battle with infections annually and more than a couple have had surgery, with mixed results.
Hearos . tried em all. my ear passage is big so i cut off the two smaller ones and rock the 3rd. I lose em though when gettin pounded so i order a bunch @ once for backup.. went through 5 sets in 2 El Nino months. Anyone know where to get em on Oahu?
Seriously would recomend getting custom moulded plugs!They are expensive i guess but they last for 5 years & you'll go through a good few packet of silicone ones in that time.
I used hearos for years but moved onto custom plugs 3 years ago and they are more comfy and work better. Mine have a cord attached so you can't lose them. I wear a hood too in winter. Last check i had NO bone growth.
So id definately recomend prophylactic action and wearing them BEFORE you get a problem. I honestly feel weird surfing without plugs now, however warm the water
I used hearos for years but moved onto custom plugs 3 years ago and they are more comfy and work better. Mine have a cord attached so you can't lose them. I wear a hood too in winter. Last check i had NO bone growth.
So id definately recomend prophylactic action and wearing them BEFORE you get a problem. I honestly feel weird surfing without plugs now, however warm the water
I agree, I just had a pair made and they work way better than anything else.
Zero water gets in, they fit perfect and have a string attached so you wont lose em. Pricey though, but better than having to get the drill...
Zero water gets in, they fit perfect and have a string attached so you wont lose em. Pricey though, but better than having to get the drill...
Even with custom made ones you will have to replace after several years as your ears never stop growing.
Great thread, reminds me I need to buy some damn earplugs.
Great thread, reminds me I need to buy some damn earplugs.
that's what i don't understand about the commments of hood being more/equally affective. does external coldness of your ear affect internal canal bone growth <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" /> i would think plugs are the best method as they should do a better job of keeping water out. with the hoods i've tried water gets stuck in my ear after duckdiving.
Not me but yeah for a buck you get 4 swivel snaps that will save you about ten bucks for new doc pros <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Some doctors think it's wind that causes bone growth. They reference truckers having the same bone growth in their left ear from driving with the window down for years. I bet these are the doctors who say just wear a hood.
My left ear is 80% closed, the right a bit less. My doc told me it's from
cold water as well as wind getting in the canal. Wearing plugs keeps water out way more effectively than just a hood IMO.My doc also said some people are more prone to getting ear bone growth than others. I guess I'm one of the unlucky ones. I'll wait until I'm deaf to get drilled though...
cold water as well as wind getting in the canal. Wearing plugs keeps water out way more effectively than just a hood IMO.My doc also said some people are more prone to getting ear bone growth than others. I guess I'm one of the unlucky ones. I'll wait until I'm deaf to get drilled though...
The westones are the ones I got...I paid more than that.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bawling.gif" alt="" />