Surfers ear

[benjl]

For the second time in 6 weeks, I have another case of surfers ear / infection
The first time it was water trapped behind some wax which I had removed and sorted. I then got some $70 apparently 'top of the line' surfers ear plugs and have worn them since but have now got it agian- this time, it's more of an inflamation of the ear canal with pain and hearing loss.
I got some from surfears but they look slightly different to the ones on their website. http://surfears.com/

I read a lot online and found some 'vosol' swimmers ear drops which also claim they can help prevent it.

Unfortunately the person who cleaned my ears the first time said that I had very narrow ear canals

Do you guys ever get this or have any special products that you use agianst it? Any other tips?
I'm surprised that it has happened as we are in to our summer time!

[benjl]

To make it worse, we have the best forecast on our fickle east coast in probably a year!
Whole week-long of around 4ft clean waves!! It would be a perfect place to test my 5'6 dom and vader!

[RinkyDink]

I've been using Doc's Proplugs (vented) with a with wetsuit hood. I haven't had any problems. I don't put any ear drops in my ears because I haven't had any ear infections yet. The guys in the following video swear by their homemade ear drops. I have no expertise regarding ear infection prevention. Check with your doctor on what kind of drops you can use to prevent ear infections.

[Big H]

It is something that you need to address since you are a surfer and will only continue to enter the water. Surfer's ear is the development of a bony outgrowth in the ear canal....serious but manageable especially with early detection.. Swimmer's ear is more of an inflammatory infection, common contraction from polluted water. Both need looking after and I'd look up a specialist to get yourself sorted for the long term before bony outgrowths or repeated infections every three weeks (friend of mine....happened too often it became a hassle so now he doesn't surf anymore).

Read up on both and go see a good doctor is my advice.

[jaffa1949]

For the second time in 6 weeks, I have another case of surfers ear / infection
The first time it was water trapped behind some wax which I had removed and sorted. I then got some $70 apparently 'top of the line' surfers ear plugs and have worn them since but have now got it agian- this time, it's more of an inflamation of the ear canal with pain and hearing loss.
I got some from surfears but they look slightly different to the ones on their website. http://surfears.com/
Do you guys ever get this or have any special products that you use agianst it? Any other tips?
I'm surprised that it has happened as we are in to our summer time!

Just check out the thread on ear plugs, some good advice there, dirty water is one problem and disinfecting the ear canal is risky , home made products and different pharmacy products vary from country to country.

Since NZ and Aus share a lot of common products, Aquaear ( not aquadhere) may be available for you you could talk to your pharmacy about appropriate hydrogen peroxide usage for disinfection.

A rain event after a dry period introduces lots of bacteria to the surf and also inadequate healing of a previous ear problem predisposes you to infection .
Read the other thread if I can suggest more I will

[dtc]

I'm pretty sure aquadhere would solve the problem as well - stop the water getting in, at least.

[benjl]

Haha we also have aquadhere in NZ too, it would fix the problem but probably also lose my hearing

[jaffa1949]

Peculiarity continues, children can get problem called glue ear often after several ear infections ( risk of hearing damage) antibiotics can fix most times , but occasionally a drain hole is needed ( called a grommet) .

Serious problem Grommets

[benjl]

Do you think the term 'Groms' came from young surfers who were in the water so much that they needed grommets? hahah but actually sounds plausible?

[billie_morini]

benji,
i get ear infections sometimes. I used to get them all the time before I learned to surf. I get more sinus infections now from surfing than ear infections. Some of us are not fortunate this way. Sometimes I start to get a sinus infection and it quickly moves to my ears. Like you, I have narrow tubes. Here are the things that help prevent more sinus and ear infections.
1. Don't surf too many days in a row
2. light hood when water is cold to keep water out of my ears (ear plugs just don't seem to stay installed when I'm surfing)
3. warm water saline wash when I get home (when I remember); repeat throughout day if I feel something coming on
4. use water removal from ears solution; you can use rubbing alcohol, but buying swimmer's drops provides combination of soothing glycogen mixed with the alcohol (alcohol is rough on thin skin like in your ear) -- I'll do this at my truck before pulling my wetsuit off if there's water in my ears and the ocean was cold
5. take Guaifenesin to drain my ears and Pseudoephedrine to drain my nose; especially if I feel something coming on
6. take vitamin C; if I feel something coming on
7. sometimes where hat or bandanna around head aftger surfing to keep ears warm; if I feel something common on

[billie_morini]

P.S. all this stuff kinda sucks. It's so annoying to have to do it. It's even more annoying when getting sick.