Cold water ear plugs

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

I remember a post about plugs for cold water, from a long time ago.

A surfer had to have his ears drilled out.

I searched but couldn't find the post.

Any one have good ear plug recommendations for the water? Ocean temps are pretty low right now

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

I believe you are referring to:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-7684.html

dcfordo · Since 19 May 2011 60 Posts The Dalles

Some people are much more susceptible to exostosis than others. There are many surfers who have no problems after decades of cold water. My ears are not too bad, but I have significant ear canal narrowing after only a few years of kayaking plus seven years of gorge windsurfing.

There are no symptoms until it is really severe. You can hear just fine through an ear canal narrowed to the size of a pinhole. The only reason I discovered mine was from rupturing my eardrum from a windsurfing crash. My ENT could only see half of the eardrum due to the narrowing.

If you are in cold water (60 and lower) a lot and you don't want to wear earplugs, I would suggest getting your ears checked. If they are OK, then you are probably one of the lucky ones who don't get surfer's ear. Or maybe your ears are half closed off and you didn't know it.

Doc's Proplugs are good because they don't push deep into your ears, which can cause earwax problems. They are well designed and fit most people. It is hard to know what size you are without trying them, though.

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

i used the silicon ones you can buy at Walgreens for a while when i ruptured my ear drum kiting. They stayed in fine, don't go in far and are inexpensive. I think they are the Macks ones. Less than $10, give them a try.......

keithvoncoyote · Since 13 May 2011 49 Posts The Gorge

A bunch of boater friends use these, i got a pair and they work great.

http://www.proplugs.com/

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

I highly recommend Barracuda swimming earplugs. Have used/lost many pairs of Docs Pro Plugs. The Barracudas are the same basic shape, but much softer, more comfortable, stickier material, that stays in better and doesn't hurt your ears after a couple hours. And they don't block that much sound, so you can still hear (unlike foam or silicone putty plugs). And their carrying case latch actually works. And they are $4.50 vs Docs $15. I got mine at Shortt Supply in Hood River.

http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/18029.htm