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Advice for Surfer's Ear?
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Post new topic   Reply to topic    Northwest Kiteboarding -> Gorge / Portland / Oregon Coast
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Gman

Since 11 Feb 2006
4907 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped



PostFri Jul 27, 18 10:07 am     Reply with quote

Windian wrote:
Had both ears surgically opened using the method that Dr. Hetzler from Santa Cruz developed. My surgery was done by Dr. Wesley Lewis at PDX ENT, but he is retired now. Minimal pain and quick recovery time, I was given the green light to return to surfing and kiting just 10 days after the operation.

My ear canals are now 80% open after being 95-100% closed. I never use ear plugs when kiting if I am wearing my hood, but always wear them surfing or kiting in warmer climates if not wearing a hood.

I would recommend only using the Hetzler procedure as it is minimally invasive and quick recovery. Contact PDX ENT for a consultation as they are top notch.


i miss Dr Lewis

I almost always wear a hood in the ocean - cept when its 80 degrees out
- the river troll - tom lewis had the surgery and they pulled a couple pinkies worth of bone out

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2pBpQolKE

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Ho-Toe

Since 30 Apr 2014
231 Posts
pissed-off science guy like Bill Nye
CO2 quantifier & upwelling specialist



PostMon Jul 30, 18 9:11 pm    Dr. Hetzler Reply with quote

During a recent checkup, a new nurse freaked out when she saw my bony exotoses (that's what she said! Smile ). I explained to her what my bony growth (ahem) was, but she insisted I go see an ENT. The ENT was pretty hip, and he told me that since Dr. Lewis has retired, he recommended traveling to Santa Cruz to have Dr. Hetzler, my ENT's former mentor, perform the procedure--if my surfer's ear were severe enough to warrant doing so. He said at 60% occlusion in my worst ear, he did not recommend surgery yet.

I guess his referral meant there's nobody in OR who performs his "reverse chisel" procedure? My ENT described the surgical procedure to me, and it does not sound fun.

Wearing your hood & plugs in the ocean around here will delay having to deal with this condition. Swimmer's ear drops are a good idea after every session if you have any occlusion, as your ear canal will retain water and it will grow nasty stuff. You can make your own by combining equal amounts isopropanol & white vinegar plus a little glug of glycerine in a dropper bottle.

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lubomm

Since 15 Aug 2007
247 Posts
Hood
Stoked



PostTue Jul 31, 18 11:38 am     Reply with quote

In high school I used to play water polo. I totally feel the caps with ear protectors are perfect for ear protection, for beginners as well as freestyle pros. I am surprised nobody figured it out yet.

These water polo caps may also slow down things like surfer's ear. What do you think?

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Jbruck

Since 17 Jun 2016
43 Posts
Eugene, OR
 



PostTue Jul 31, 18 1:20 pm     Reply with quote

lubomm wrote:
In high school I used to play water polo. I totally feel the caps with ear protectors are perfect for ear protection, for beginners as well as freestyle pros. I am surprised nobody figured it out yet.

These water polo caps may also slow down things like surfer's ear. What do you think?


I also played back in high school - water polo caps are designed to protect mostly against cauliflower ear (like a wrestler's headgear), and also a bit against ruptured eardrums from high velocity impacts with the ball. They don't do anything to keep out the wind and cold water that cause surfer's ear. In fact a lot of water polo players will also wear silicone or wax sealing ear plugs underneath if they have ear infection issues.

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Gman

Since 11 Feb 2006
4907 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped



PostWed Aug 01, 18 9:01 am     Reply with quote

the dog agrees




also unrelated - Tuesday night is Underwater Hockey Night at Mt Hood Community College

https://www.meetup.com/Portland-Underwater-Hockey/?_cookie-check=KlDBoU_xINdjgxB7


   head gear.jpg 

_________________
Go Deep!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2pBpQolKE

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Jbruck

Since 17 Jun 2016
43 Posts
Eugene, OR
 



PostWed Aug 01, 18 9:04 am     Reply with quote

Gman wrote:
the dog agrees


Is that a Portuguese Water Polo Dog?

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teabagger

Since 15 Jun 2012
68 Posts

 

CGKA Member


PostFri Aug 03, 18 12:14 pm     Reply with quote

I just learned so much from this thread. I constantly have water in my ears now worse than I used to but didn't know what surfers ear was. And now when the water stays in my ear for longer than 12 hours it causes swelling which causes vertigo/labrythitus symptoms until they dry out.

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ldhr

Since 21 Jul 2009
1470 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster



PostFri Aug 03, 18 12:22 pm     Reply with quote

What ?

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sfbomber

Since 27 Jun 2012
112 Posts

Stoked



PostSun Aug 05, 18 8:24 am     Reply with quote

I like these better than Doc Pro Plugs:
Brand Tyr or Barracuda.
The Doc's work all right but I found the Barracuda's/Tyr's much more comfortable. I found I could hear better with the Barracuda's/Tyr's too. The Barracuda's/Tyr's [$4] are also much cheaper than the Doc's Pro Plugs [$16].
https://www.amazon.com/TYR-Silicone-Molded-Plugs-Blue/dp/B0018ZWKMW/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533485708&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=tyr+silicone+diving+ear+plugs
In addition to ear plugs, you should be wearing a warm hoodie. I wear an Oneil thinskin hoodie cap under my helmet. When the water gets cooler, I wear Exo hood by Promotion.
Get a helmet with ear coverings. I wear the ProTec Ace Wake, but will be getting the Gath next. The Protec is a good summer helmet, but is not warm enough in winter.

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Occupied Columbia

Since 12 Nov 2011
376 Posts
Columbia City
Obsessed



PostSun Nov 11, 18 12:21 pm    Local chisel Doc? Reply with quote

Hey Anybody know of a local doctor that does the chisel technique?
Also, Any Idea how much it costs? I think I'll need it in the next year or so.

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kwalshpc

Since 24 Oct 2014
142 Posts

Stoked



PostMon Nov 12, 18 7:24 am    Surfer ear Reply with quote

A comment on the Wax candles - they do not work - I thought they did and used them many times, it will look like they worked since it looks like there is a bunch of ear wax in the end when you are done. I burned one without ever putting it in my ear - same result!

They don't work

I had issues with my ears sealing up due to wax getting wet and expanding to close the opening. My ENT sucks out the wax periodically and that helps.

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tinyE

Since 21 Jan 2006
2004 Posts
not really an
XTreme Poster



PostMon Nov 12, 18 8:59 am    Re: Preventing Surfer's Ear Reply with quote

Archierrr wrote:
Thankfully never got a surfer's ear. Very lucky, minding that I've been surfing for years in NorCal without plugs, never liked the experience. But 3 of my friends did. After what I've heard from them about the surgery I decided to start wearing plugs. Still don't like them. 
Me and a couple of my close friends have been working on a new gen earplugs. Check em out. http://xbuds.co
Would love to hear your feedback!

No matter these or conventional, please wear plugs every time you are in the cold water. Save yourself from the pain of going though a surgery, it's a gnarly one.


what are these going to cost?

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bfb38

Since 02 Sep 2016
75 Posts

 



PostTue Dec 04, 18 7:25 am     Reply with quote

I’ve used all different kinds of plugs including several customs. While I still use wax or silicone occasionally, I now mostly use the parasol type and have for years for kayaking, kiting, surfing, sleeping, head banging, etc. and I fall hard and often in most of these activities.

They’re cheap enough to not care about too much, but also if you don’t lose them they can lost for a really long time. They come in different sizes to boot.

https://www.amazon.com/3-Pair-RTSFUS30HP-Howard-Multiple-Use-Earplug/dp/B0037F92RC/ref=mp_s_a_1_54?ie=UTF8&qid=1543936884&sr=8-54&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=ear+plugs

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