Ear Plugs

[bobsurf]

Quick little recommendation.

About 5 years ago, I bought some "Docs Pro-plugs" but didn't like the way they felt. Never wore em. This year I started using the putty style plugs. Liked em, but they started deteriorating pretty quickly. Tried my old Pro-plugs once again, and now I love. Plus, due to the mini hole, I can hear when my compatriots when they hoot or call me a kook.

My recommendation, buy pro-plugs and forget everything else.

 

[liplocked]

bobsurf...Im doing the same thing you did.

bought a pair this year...wore em 4 times and
they just felt wierd in my ear. Never got used
to them and now I just dont put them on. Maybe
I just dont have the right fitting.

I will have to try again. Thx for the imput <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[blakestah]

Hear-Os, found in California at Walgreen's drug store for $4 or so, never fall out. You need to have the right ear canal size, but they work for me. It is not 100% water blockage, but pretty close. They look like little Christmas trees and are made of a silicone-type rubber.

I have a friend that uses surf wax and cotton mixed together and shoved in. He claims it never falls out, you can always get more easily, and it achieves 100% blockage. He was recommended for drilling years ago but went to plugs and claims things very very gradually got better (the "water getting stuck in the ear thing")

I wear Hear-Os, but am always open to suggestion. I tried silicone shapeable plugs, but they fell out, as did Doc's. I'd probably try cotton+surf wax next.

Ultimately, it probably doesn't matter what you use as long as it keeps your ear canals from getting cold water in em.

 

[swissaccountdog]

Wear plugs. I had to have one ear drilled and I'm still in my twenties. I won't go in the water without them.

 

[bobsurf]

Liplocked,

I don't know exactly what originally annoyed me, I think it was just getting used to having something in my ear. I think the local surf shops let me try on the different sizes. You might want to try the putty style or Ear O's to get used to having plugs in.

My puttys lasted probably 50 sessions before they started to lose their stickyness. Forgot my Proplugs this morning so I had to use the puttys. Actually had one pop out for the first time.

 

[liplocked]

bobsurf...ya, I tried the Hear O's and my
canals are almost closed. Just can't get those
xmas trees to stay put without popping out. I have real small canals...27 years of
surftime have cauloflowered my ears. No drilling
though (knock on wood) and although I have a
bit of hearing loss, due to the closure, my ears
never hurt.

I've tried on all sizes and have been suggested
a certain size. It just feels so wierd while surfing, and I even feel a bit off balance. Maybe I just havent given ears a chance enough---I dunno.

I'lle try out the putty path as it sounds like it
worked well (intro wise) for you. Will wean back
into Docs.

 

[hoku]

With cold CA waters sometimes i get nasty headaches with the cold water seeping in my ears.

w/ docs i had that not fitting problem, and then I checked out the pro plug website and you can order a kit for $3 w/ different sized plugs. And you can test them until you find the right fit.

Those things rock once you get the right size.

 

[liplocked]

Hey hoku-
thanks for that tip. I'm gonna
get on their website and order a kit right now- <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[quique]

are plugs only for cold water?

 

[rice]

you know what's interesting? west coast surfers usually have more bone growth in their right ear, from the prevailing northwest winds.

[ May 23, 2003, 08:33 AM: Message edited by: rice ]