Surfer’s ear, known in the medical profession as auditory exostosis is a condition that impacts surfers across the globe. It is a gradual biological process where the bones in a person’s skull surrounding the ear canal grow boney lumps - slowly closing up the ear canal. Over time this can cause hearing loss and make it much harder for water to drain from the ears after surfing or swimming. Sea water trapped inside ear canals can cause irritation, popping and potentially impact hearing. In the worst cases, it can cause infections leading to painful earaches and other symptoms.
Surfer’s ear isn’t only a problem for surfers, but it is a problem that many surfers face today or will face in the future. Auditory exestosis can occur because of repeated exposure to cold water and / or wind. The body is thought to send more blood as a protective biological response to the cold impacted area, leading to more bone growth there over time. Because this process is gradual, surfer’s ear doesn’t usually become an issue for surfers until they’ve hit their 30s. Of course every case is different, depending on the frequency and intensity of exposure to cold water and or wind.
The most common symptoms are an increased likelihood of water being trapped in the ear canal. It might feel like water just won’t come out after a session. A related symptom might be a popping sensation or pressure inside the ears, similar to what it feels like when someone tries to equalize the pressure in their ears by yawning or chewing gum. Additionally trapped sea water loaded with bacteria could lead to ear infections that could have more dramatic impacts on one’s hearing and result in pain and discomfort. Lastly, in the most advanced stages of surfer’s ear, hearing could be impacted as the bony growths continue close off the ear to sound. While surfer’s ear comes on gradually, it can become a serious issue.
The best way to prevent surfer’s ear is to wear ear plugs or a hood to prevent as much water and wind from impacting the ear canal as possible. Alternatively, as warmer water is thought not to be as harmful as colder water, surfers could move to warmer climates.
Depending on the severity of the condition, living with surfer’s ear may be perfectly reasonable. As long as you are able to ensure that your ears are dried and not at risk for an infection then more serious procedures may not be necessary. Surfers Ear Drops offers drops that dry out ears and help guard against infection, and could help stave off the symptoms of surfers ear. That said, if hearing loss has already started, and water simply won’t drain no matter how many drops you apply and how much you shake your head, it may make sense to speak to a specialist ENT doctor - preferably one who practices near the coast and who has seen surfer's ear before. These specialists utilize a few different procedures that may make sense depending on the situation.
Here is an example of a specialist doctor that specializes in patients with surfer’s ear.
Surfers Ear Drops can help to clean and dry ears out to protect you from getting infections.
* We are not doctors and this post should not be construed as medical advice. For the best advice for you and your specific situation, please consult a doctor.
]]>That's why it is essential to ensure proper drainage of your ear after a surf session. If you are finding it difficult to drain your ear after a session, it may indicate that your ear canal has closed up due to Surfers Ear. Regardless, its important to clean out and dry ears that are full of water to ensure bacteria doesn't flourish. Using drops like our specially formulated Surfers Ear Drops can help dry out ears and prevent warm water from collecting in your ear. That warm water is a paradise for bacteria!
]]>There are a few proven simple ways to prevent surfers ear. The first is to wear ear plugs. There are numerous brands, but Docs Ear Plugs have been a favorite among surfers for numerous years. The second way to prevent surfers ear is to wear a hood when surfing in cold water. In addition to keeping your head warm, a hood prevents cold wind and water from impacting your ear canal.
Neither of these preventative measures is 100% effective as water will likely still enter a surfers ear during a session. That said, these measures are likely to dramatically reduce the exposure to cold water and wind a surfer might face, and hence are likely to slow down the onset of surfers ear.
]]>Surfers who live in cold water locales and surf without ear plugs for many decades often develop symptoms of Surfer's Ear that are hard to ignore. As the exetosis becomes more advanced, some people experience hearing loss, increased risks of ear infections, tinnitus, vertigo and head pressure to the point where something needs to be done. While drops like Surfers Ear Drops can provide temporary relief, sometimes a more permanent solution is called for.
As of today, there are two primary paths if surgery is a must. The chisel method and the drill method. While both can be effective, there is some consensus that the chisel method - as developed by Dr. Douglas Hetzler in Santa Cruz CA is less invasive and gets you back in the water faster. Of course there are risks for any surgery, especially when dealing with such a sensitive part of your body.
The best bet of course, is to avoid needing surgery at all by wearing ear plugs!
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There are a few factors that contribute to the bony growth inside your ear, known as Surfer's Ear. One of the most important is the temperature of the water.
The growth of bone in your ear is a form of protection. The ear is exposed when surfing. In a bid to harbor itself from the elements, the bone starts growing to cover the exposed parts of the ear.
So when the water is cold, the bone tends to grow faster.
These days, most people wear surfing hoods to protect their ears while surfing. This solution does perhaps slow down the growth of surfer's ear, but does little to solve the problem.
The Factors That Exacerbate Surfer's Ear
Another factor tied into bone growth is the amount of time you spend in the water. Some people are in the water all day, just relentlessly pushing themselves to get their wave count up. Lucky people who can surf all day, but unlucky for them, this also means accelerated growth of surfer's ear.
One of the methods to quell the bone growth and to slow down the symptoms is by the simple application of the correct ear drops.
Surfer's ear symptoms are plentiful. When the ear is nearly closed, it sometimes traps water in the ear. This water is not harmful, but it tends to make the ear go soggy reasonably quickly, and this soon turns into an infection and a symptom of 'squelching' in your ear canal.
Surfer's ear describes the bone growth as well as the possible infection, including the dirt, sand or ear wax closing the already partially closed ear, resulting in various forms of deafness.
Ear infections explained here.
It not uncommon for someone with Surfers Ear to rub sunscreen all over the faces and ears, go for a surf, have a few wipeouts and get some sand or dirt in the ear results in a very simple surfer's ear symptom of being deaf.
Preventative Methods for Surfer's Ear
An excellent preventative method of keeping surfers ear and the stock standard surfer's ear symptoms at bay is to keep the ear dry. There are several methods of keeping your ear canals dry, including toweling dry, blowing dry, and inserting surfer's ear drops, that dries them from the inside.
Toweling dry is an excellent default, but sometimes it's hard to get far enough inside the ear to effectively dry the ear. People also tend to forget, or to get a little lazy, and not consistently dry the ears out after every swim, bath, surf or shower.
Dry blowing the ears is also a great option, but you need a hairdryer, or a smaller, purpose-built dryer with you at all times. Nowadays you can get them that charge off a car cigarette lighter, but they tend to be expensive, and very few people have them.
Surfers Ear Drops are not infallible, but they are the best method that can be used quickly and consistently at the beach or the pool, or even if you're an open water swimmer having a go in dams or down rivers.
Alcohol Can Help
The alcohol thins the liquid out, to make it slightly more runny than the water, which enables it to trickle down inside the ear, reaching little hidden droplets of water trapped inside the ear.
Then the Surfers Ear Drops mixes with the trapped water. And after a while the alcohol content in the mix dries out the ear and the trapped water, making the ear as dry as can be.
It's as simple as that to prevent, or delay, surfer's ear surgery.
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