Let’s Talk About Ears!

Let’s Talk About Ears… What, Sorry?

Alright friends, let’s talk about ear plugs. I’ll be the first to admit I’m guilty of not wearing mine enough, but ear health is so important for anyone who loves a cold-water dip or swim. There are a few reasons why we need to protect our lugholes and why wearing ear plugs can really make a difference. 

Surfer’s Ear - What Is It? 

Some of you may have heard of (or even suffered from) Surfer’s Ear. This condition develops when repeated exposure to cold water and wind causes the bone inside your ear canal to grow as a protective response. 

As these growths continue to develop, they push into the ear canal, narrowing the space inside. This can prevent sound waves from travelling properly to the eardrum, leading to symptoms such as hearing loss. 

Surfer’s Ear develops slowly over time, it can take 10 to 15 years before symptoms appear. The bony growth itself isn’t harmful, but it can form lumps that cause problems, and many people don’t realise it’s happening until it’s quite advanced. 

Common symptoms include: 

• Recurrent ear infections 

• Water getting trapped in your ear 

• Hearing loss 

If you don’t see your GP for treatment, the condition can worsen. In severe cases, the ear canal can close completely, which can lead to permanent hearing loss. 

Dizziness, Nausea, and Swimming 

Another common complaint we hear is dizziness or nausea while swimming, especially in choppy seas or on windy lake days. This can often be linked to ear issues. Many swimmers find that using ear plugs helps massively, sometimes even stopping the symptoms altogether. 

However, if your symptoms persist, it’s always worth getting checked out by your GP in case there’s an infection or another underlying issue. 

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 

When it comes to your ears, prevention really is better than cure. We love the ear plugs from SurfEars as you can still hear what’s going on around you while keeping your ears protected from the cold and wind. 

So, take care of those ears, folks - your future self will thank you!