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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4909 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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 Fri Jul 27, 18 10:07 am |
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| 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
_________________
Go Deep!
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
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| Mon Jul 30, 18 9:11 pm Dr. Hetzler |
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During a recent checkup, a new nurse freaked out when she saw my bony exotoses (that's what she said!  ). 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
248 Posts
Hood
Stoked
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| Tue Jul 31, 18 11:38 am |
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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
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| Tue Jul 31, 18 1:20 pm |
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| 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
4909 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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Jbruck
Since 17 Jun 2016
43 Posts
Eugene, OR
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| Wed Aug 01, 18 9:04 am |
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| 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
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| Fri Aug 03, 18 12:14 pm |
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| 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
1487 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
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| Fri Aug 03, 18 12:22 pm |
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| What ?
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sfbomber
Since 27 Jun 2012
113 Posts
Stoked
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| Sun Aug 05, 18 8:24 am |
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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
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| Sun Nov 11, 18 12:21 pm Local chisel Doc? |
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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
143 Posts
Stoked
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| Mon Nov 12, 18 7:24 am Surfer ear |
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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
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| Mon Nov 12, 18 8:59 am Re: Preventing Surfer's Ear |
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| 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
83 Posts
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