SURFERS EAR (EXOSTOSIS)
Is extra bone growth in the ear canal typically caused by the cooling effects of repeated exposure to cold water and wind. Surfers Ear is common in Surfers and other watersports such as Windsurfing, Kayaking, Jetskiing, Diving, Sailing, and Kitesurfing.
WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT SURFER’S EAR?
You should care about preventing Surfer’s Ear if you want to decrease your chances of developing water retention in the ear canal; hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing sounds in the ear); infection and the need for surgery.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Water getting stuck in the ear is a common first symptom of Surfer’s Ear, but sometimes there are no symptoms.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT SURFER’S EAR?
You can lessen the chance of developing Surfer’s Ear by wearing earplugs or reducing exposure to water and wind. We find SurfEars 3.0 to work the best as they let sound in but keep water out. Each pair of SurfEars 3.0 can be custom fitted to each individual ear size and shape.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DEVELOP SURFER’S EAR?
It varies from person to person. However important factors are the level of exposure to the elements, temperature and wind conditions.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURFER’S EAR AND SWIMMER’S EAR?
Surfer’s Ear is the layered bone growth that occurs in the ear canal as a response to repeated exposure to water and wind. Whereas ‘Swimmer’s Ear’ is a bacterial infection of the skin of the ear canal that causes swelling of the ear canal skin and is painful. It is usually treated / cured with antibiotic ear drops. In more severe cases, people can get both ‘Swimmer’s / Surfer’s Ear’ at the same time.
WHY DO I GET INFECTIONS EVERY TIME I GO TO WARMER WATERS FROM COLDER WATERS?
Warmer waters tend to have more bacteria in it and people traveling from colder waters are more likely to already have some degree of Surfer’s Ear, which leads to the bacteria laden water getting trapped in the ear and contributing to infection of the ear canal skin.
WHEN IS SURGERY NECESSARY?
Surgery is recommended when the bone growths cause intolerable symptoms - repeated water trapping; infections; and trapping of debris in the ear canal.
Don't wait until symptoms start to present themselves, early prevention is the best protection. The biggest deterrent to wearing earplugs for many surfers is the reduction in sound. understandably surfers find it frustrating not being able to hear others in the line up & start to feel isolated. SurfEars 3.0 solves this issue by letting sound in but keeping the water out. SurfEars 3.0 lets in more sound than any other water sports ear plug and each pair can be custom fitted to each ear for the perfect fit.
SHOP SURFEARS 3.0 HERE