Essential Ear Care for Sufers and Watergirls

Surfers who regularly slap on the sunblock but neglect their eardrums face a painful operation, a hefty slug on their wallet and the prospect of going nuts while staying on the beach while they recover. Surf reporter Alison Aprhys, a committed earplugger, investigates how a couple of pieces of plastic can keep you surfing longer and happier.

Depending on whom you speak with, its been estimated that around 70 per cent of people who regularly participate or even watch water sports (including surfing, sailing, waterskiing, kayaking and wakeboarding), with the constant exposure to water and wind, overtime, can result in the condition known as Surfers Ear (Diffuse Exostosis).

Basically, in an effort to protect the delicate canal and drum, the ear undergoes a progressive build-up of bone within. Symptoms can include earaches, popping and crackling inside the ear and dulled hearing. It’s bloody painful and what’s worse, can prevent you getting out with your friends when it’s cranking.

 
But there’s a cheap and simple way to prevent it.

Mention surfer’s ear to Graeme ‘Gally’ Galbraith, and the laconic red-head who’s the currently Australia’s over 50 surfing champion and considered one of the nation’s leading surf coaches, raises a quizzical eyebrow.

According to Gally, if you regularly surf, then earplugs are a given. If you don’t, then you need to. End of story. “I’ve been wearing Docs Pro Plugs  for 25 years and I’m probably the only person I know who has surfed as much as I have, who hasn’t had his ears drilled”, he says.

Gally says he knows some surfers who have suffered extreme damage to their ears and have had to go back for a second drilling. “If you wear them all the time, they can reverse the damage caused by surfer’s ear, he says. Retailing in Australia for around $30, he believes it’s an inexpensive form of health insurance.

“It’s a small price to pay for your ears not to be drilled”, says Gally. “Drilling is expensive, painful and you’re out of the water for a good 4-5 weeks and you have to ear earplugs afterward anyway”, he stresses.

After a quarter of a century, he says it’s now an automatic part of getting ready for a surf in summer or winter. “I really suffer if I don’t wear them”, says Gally, who’s also educated his kids, both of whom surf competitively, to don them.  “My daughter Tessa always wears them, but my son Chase is always losing his”, sighs Gally.

Leonard Bow is a keen bodyboarder and distributes Docs Pro Plugs in Australia and New Zealand. “If you use other things like Blu-tak (or puddy) it can affect your balance; not good for surfing”, says Leonard. “They are easy to clean and they don’t cause trauma to delicate canal skin which can cause ear infections”, he says. “Most people don’t use them as a preventative manner, the same way they use sunblock; it should be automatic”, he says. “I sell more for exostosis in Victoria (Australia) but in the warmer climate we sell more to combat swimmers ear”, he says. Leonard recommends the clear earplugs as they are vented and allow for better hearing and balance.

Richard Bartle, retail manager for Strapper surf shops says that looking after your ears is vital. “The demand for ear plugs is growing”, says the surfer who loves getting out on his stand-up paddleboard. Like Gally, he recommends Docs Pro Plugs.

“We sell lots and they are without a doubt the best we’ve come across”, says Richard. “They have a range of sizes, are designed to fit the ear perfectly”, he says. “A lot of people get surfers ear, many have had their ears drilled and it’s a nasty operation”.

 “Getting people to use them is an educational process, when people coming through here to get boards and equipment, we tell them about surfer’s ear; how this is the consequence and this is reality”, says Richard. “Strapper staff include earplugs with the sale of any new surfboard”, he says.

Ironically, Richard doesn’t wear plugs, but is a huge fan of Sassall Surfer’s Ear Drops. “It’s really good, Sassall’s is the best one because it’s all natural, there no alcohol and does not burn”, says Richard. “You very rarely get any reaction or earache symptoms afterwards”, he says.           

Naomi Waite who runs the Surfcoast Surfing Mums wears earplugs occasionally. “I’d wear them more often but I keep losing them”, she confesses.  “Earplugs are absolutely a must in Victoria (Australia) because it’s [the water] so cold here”, she says. “I think all the young kids who spend too much time in the water don’t realise the importance of wearing them”.                       

“Earplugs are a very personal thing, some people always use them and others like me have never tried them”, says Martin Grose, National Development Manager of Surfing Australia. “Surfers should be aware that they can suffer from ear damage from the sea due to water temperature or water cleanliness, but it can be very stressful and painful if you do suffer on-going ear problems”, he says.

He advises that if you have any ear problems to get to a physician pronto. “Each set of ears are different but any surfers who are experiencing any pain or discomfort after surfing should visit a doctor or seek medical advice to assess whether they need to include earplugs as part of their surfing equipment”, says Martin. “No need to be a hero, wear the earplugs so you can keep on enjoying your surfing”.

“It’s the cold that does it”, confirms Professor Stephen O'Leary a senior Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon at the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital. As a keen ocean swimmer, Stephen regularly participates in the Pier to Perignon swim, but doesn’t wear earplugs himself.

“Most of the time when you are swimming there’s no need for earplugs, but if you are spending ponderously long hours out there surfing, then yes you’d need them”, he says. “In California, my ear surgeon friends tell me that anecdotal evidence shows that one ear is more likely to suffer”, he says. Stephen adds that once it gets beyond a certain stage getting plugs in can be problematic and professional medical assistance should be sought.

“One of the symptoms is that they get recurrent infections or can’t water out”, he says. However, while Stephen is unconvinced of the use of ear drops to prevent the condition, he says that they may minimise the risk of infection.

Read It!

Meanwhile, a good resource to have on hand is Sick Surfers Ask the Surf Docs by Mark Renneker, M.D., Kevin Starr, M.D., Geoff Booth, M.D.
 

Links - Surfer's Medical Association 

www.ExplorerGirls.com / Alison Aprhys