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Best Surfer's Ear Protective Plugs?

 
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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
1634 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
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PostTue Aug 16, 16 6:16 pm    Best Surfer's Ear Protective Plugs? Reply with quote

Just returned from the Dr.
After peaking in my (sore) ears she strongly urged me to start using surfers ear protective plugs.
Please, anyone here have advice for their favorite, and hopefully least expensive?

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Kip Wylie

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Windian

Since 28 Apr 2008
880 Posts
Newport, OR
NEWPORT OG



PostTue Aug 16, 16 6:48 pm     Reply with quote

I have experimented with all of them from custom made by ear specialist at the most expensive end on down to the cheapest ones available at the local pharmacy.

IMO the best for me is just the cheap silicon ones that I break in half and mold into a cone shape and cram it into the ear canal. Nice snug fit and after a couple of go outs they start to get dirty and loose their sticking capability so I just throw them away and grab a new one. I find I need to break one in half or there is just too much material and I have a big gob hanging outside the ear. Plus, I get twice as much use out of a package of plugs. I get the clear silicon since I am not much of a fashion freak for neon colors whether it be plugs or board shorts.


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voy-tech

Since 08 Apr 2014
372 Posts
Seattle
Obsessed

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PostTue Aug 16, 16 7:10 pm     Reply with quote

I use SurfEars or waterproof headphones and an iPod. So far very happy with both solutions.
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dcfordo

Since 19 May 2011
60 Posts
The Dalles
 



PostTue Aug 16, 16 7:29 pm    Doc's Proplugs Reply with quote

Doc's Proplugs are what many, if not most, kayakers use.

They have several advantages. They don't stick into the ear canal much, so they are more comfortable. Plus, this doesn't pack wax into the canal like plugs that stick way in do. They also have a small (2mm) hole that makes it much easier to hear, and doesn't give that suction cup feel like most plugs.

The Kayak Shed carries them.

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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
1634 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
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PostTue Aug 16, 16 7:34 pm    Re: Doc's Proplugs Reply with quote

Bingo! This is the product the doctor spoke of... but I immediately forgot. Thanks
Kip


dcfordo wrote:
Doc's Proplugs are what many, if not most, kayakers use.

They have several advantages. They don't stick into the ear canal much, so they are more comfortable. Plus, this doesn't pack wax into the canal like plugs that stick way in do. They also have a small (2mm) hole that makes it much easier to hear, and doesn't give that suction cup feel like most plugs.

The Kayak Shed carries them.

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Kip Wylie

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Freeride Kiter

Since 08 Jul 2011
698 Posts
Alaska / PNW / Baja
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PostTue Aug 16, 16 7:37 pm     Reply with quote

+1 on Docs. Used them on well over 500 cold water deep dives in the Aleutians.

https://www.proplugs.com/

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Ho-Toe

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



PostTue Aug 16, 16 11:20 pm    da hood Reply with quote

I've tried several types of plugs over the years, mostly surfing. I've hated them all. I prefer wearing my hood instead. After nearly a quarter century of soaking in the NE Pacific, my canals are crusty, but not plugged... (that doesn't sound quite right) Shocked

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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
1634 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
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PostWed Aug 17, 16 5:38 am    Re: da hood Reply with quote

Might resort to this after I try a few plugs. I believe this recent issue is generated from the face-slap crashes that foiling generates. It was always my impression that the typical "surfers ear" was caused by repeated cold water immersions. This doctor was claiming that even 70 degree Columbia River swill can cause surfers ear. And then I winter in Mexico each year where the water is 80 and super clean Pacific Ocean.


Ho-Toe wrote:
I've tried several types of plugs over the years, mostly surfing. I've hated them all. I prefer wearing my hood instead. After nearly a quarter century of soaking in the NE Pacific, my canals are crusty, but not plugged... (that doesn't sound quite right) Shocked

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Windian

Since 28 Apr 2008
880 Posts
Newport, OR
NEWPORT OG



PostWed Aug 17, 16 7:01 am     Reply with quote

Got to agree with Ho-Toe on the use of the hood when kiting in cold water and air. Almost all of the time that I kite the central coast I wear my hood up on my hooded wetsuit and rarely get my hair wet. If you are a competent kiter, you are not falling and spending much if any time off your board. Yesterday was a good example as I went kitesurfing for a 2 hour session in well overhead surf and came back to my truck and pulled down my hood and my hair was totally dry. Thus, no need for plugs that day.

Prone paddle or SUP surfing is a different story as I do fall a lot and spend lots of time in the drink getting sloshed around and always wear plugs.

Cold wind is just as damaging to the ear canal as cold water and the hood is your best protection.

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Locke

Since 16 May 2012
19 Posts
The State of Jefferson
 



PostWed Aug 17, 16 10:28 am     Reply with quote

Proplugs are ok, but I never really liked their fit. They keep most of the water out and do (mostly) block the wind. I lost dozens of pairs over the years, which makes their price attractive.

That said, after my canalplasty in the late 90's, I graduated to custom molded plugs from Westone. Yes, they are spendy but they are 1) comfortable 2) durable 3) keep my ears warm and dry even in howling wind and surf (or freezing winter kayaking) whether or not I have a hood on, and 4) they don't come out even in big crashes.

My last trip to the ENT showed 90% closure of the ear that didn't get surgery, and that literally hasn't changed in the ~20 years since I started using custom plugs. The other ear has some big speedbumps, but nothing that is going to cause problems before I get too old and weak to surf or kite.

As an added plus you can order them in any color you want so personally I tend to go with flourescent green so that they don't get lost. The leash is molded in and much much stronger than what you get with proplugs.

Bottom line: you are going to be counting on these things to protect you from needing an expensive and unpleasant surgery. Probably want to make sure they work. Protip - the big cost is in the audiologist's time. Order an extra pair from the original mold to save $$.

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Scriffler

Since 03 Jul 2005
581 Posts
LYLE
Addicted



PostWed Aug 17, 16 10:17 pm     Reply with quote

[/url]https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-Tack[url]

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Slappysan

Since 13 Jun 2012
308 Posts

Obsessed



PostThu Aug 18, 16 8:54 am     Reply with quote

I just wear my NP Surf beanie, it covers the ears just enough to do the trick.

http://usa.npsurf.com/hovercart.html?p=35494/FirelineVisorBeanie

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kitenomad

Since 09 Aug 2016
10 Posts

 



PostWed Sep 07, 16 11:33 pm    Re: da hood Reply with quote

wylieflyote wrote:
Might resort to this after I try a few plugs. I believe this recent issue is generated from the face-slap crashes that foiling generates. It was always my impression that the typical "surfers ear" was caused by repeated cold water immersions. This doctor was claiming that even 70 degree Columbia River swill can cause surfers ear. And then I winter in Mexico each year where the water is 80 and super clean Pacific Ocean.


Ho-Toe wrote:
I've tried several types of plugs over the years, mostly surfing. I've hated them all. I prefer wearing my hood instead. After nearly a quarter century of soaking in the NE Pacific, my canals are crusty, but not plugged... (that doesn't sound quite right) Shocked



Its funny, but this season I've been hearing guys complaining inside ear started to hurt, including myself Confused . Went to a doctor, usually this problem is with children, but this year adults have it aswell. Really weird Shocked

http://www.surf-store.com/ion-sonic-head-band-3-0-black/
http://www.surf-store.com/np-2016-heatlock-headband/ - neoprene headband earplugs, bandear or whatever should you choose to name it... - just sayin.. Cool

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juandesooka

Since 21 Jan 2014
96 Posts

 



PostFri Sep 09, 16 10:54 am     Reply with quote

I have 90% closure and am desperately afraid of that surgery....so am religious about plugs, and gone through them all.

I use Surf Ears....found they have the best combo of snug fit, but still able to hear half decently. Pro tip: NEVER ever put them down anywhere after session, they always go back into the case, which you remember after a few $50 mistakes. (they have a new version out now, with a leash....that looks like an improvement)

Doc's: work ok, but never quite got the fit right...don't feel like they keep out enough water.

Tree type: these work great, and are cheap, but they don't work well under a hood....pushes them into ear, can be painful.

Silicon: I never got the hang of putting these in, maybe was too chicken to press them in far enough.

Custom: 100% protection, but can't hear a thing. Expensive too.

Headphones: I haven't tried this yet, but seems a good solution, ear protection plus a soundtrack for your rad kiting performance. Smile

Another pro tip....have had several friends get the surgery and it sounds ugly. Peel your ear back and dremel drill it out. Ugh. Another friend went to the doc in santa cruz who has pioneered non invasive chisel method. Will cost you extra, but you're back in the water 6-8 weeks earlier, less pain, and less nerve damage.

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