Every summer that ive ridden standups ive wound up with some sort of ear troubles, and see that many others on this forum report similar problems. It usually starts with an ear infection followed by that annoying feeling of unequal pressure that lasts for weeks. Do helmets prevent these issues? Should I wear earplugs or is there any other trick for this?
How to prevent ear issues?
- Thread starter 318bryan
- Start date
waksk8
Site Supporter
- Location
- Jacksonville TX
I have an ear ache today after riding this past weekend with a helmet on!
Blew my eardrum this weekend (no helmet barrel rolls). Helmet helps protect from impact intrusion. Ear plugs are better, but they also (obviously) limit your hearing, reducing your awareness of other boats. Its a toss up...
yeah ive noticed that alot of people seem get them from barrel rolls, which is what i just started trying to learn on sunday so thats probably my problem.. guess ill get some plugs
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I blew my eardrum on the weekend too, guess I need to wear a helmet more
- Location
- St.Pete, Fl. - Daytona, Fl.
Got an ear infection a week and a half ago, no barrel rolls. At least things are "moving" in that ear now and starting to clear out...what a horrible pita this is. I am now pondering ear plugs as well - just not sure what type or kind to use. First time this has happened in 25-30 years since I was a kid and first time with the ski after years of riding as well. Does anyone use ear plugs? Any issues?
Quinc
Buy a Superjet
- Location
- California
Wear a helmet. keeps the ears from getting burnt too. 
- Location
- Long Island
I have a hole in my left ear drum from ruptures and surgeries in the past that left scar tissue that won't heal. With that being said, I wear those cheap one time use plugs you can find at any local drug store. They are mostly water resistant but sometimes they absorb a tiny bit of water. They're soft, you roll them and stick them in . They usually last an hour + of heavy riding, rolls submersion, etc. I bring an extra in a dry case and leave it on the beach sometimes. I also wear a helmet and that helps a ton.
I've had ear troubles for all my life. Knock on wood I've been safe with these plugs for years now.
Yeah I only wear one so I can still hear my super loud ski. The other ear is blocked by the helmet. Use one without side vents.
I've had ear troubles for all my life. Knock on wood I've been safe with these plugs for years now.
Yeah I only wear one so I can still hear my super loud ski. The other ear is blocked by the helmet. Use one without side vents.
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Are you staying out of the water until it heals or just going to use ear plugs?
I'm sticking to shore this week, then back in on Saturday to test out a few new parts... earplugs and helmet will be worn. I'm considering goggles too...
Edit: I blew my eardrum about 1/2 way through the day of riding, it didn't stop me that day, I knew it was blown, just kept riding... might as well not waste the day!
Edit: I blew my eardrum about 1/2 way through the day of riding, it didn't stop me that day, I knew it was blown, just kept riding... might as well not waste the day!
- Location
- St.Pete, Fl. - Daytona, Fl.
Those are the ear plugs I was thinking of using. They give them away at work and I use them when they test the fire alarm. Since you can still hear to some degree with them in, I thought this might be the best option for ear plugs while riding. I've had many operations on both ears as a kid and both ear drums are really scarred up, but fortunately no permanent holes. The helmet should help slow it down as well.
But I am thinking that my ear problem may have started with water getting shoved through the sinuses. Dr says both ear drums and ear canals from the ear drum out are clear, the problem is behind the ear drum on the left that is the problem. I saw mention of using a nose plug, but I would imagine breathing through your mouth when riding hard might be strange if not difficult to do. I think the ear infection came from sinus' getting an extreme back-flushing when hitting the water.
I know guys break ear drums on rolls pretty often, but does any one just get ear aches or infections without breaking the ear drum?
Magyar68
Really!!!
- Location
- Lewisville
I do like 550/440 SwimEar Before and After.. http://www.fougera.com/knowledge_center/swimear/swimcont.htm
- Location
- Long Island
Not for nothing dude but if your eardrum "blew" the last thing you would even be considering is staying on that jet ski.
When you get back on the beach bend over and touch your toes. You'll have water coming out of your nose for a little while. That usually clears me out.
Ruptured tympainic membrane, per the visit to the doc the next day. It hurt for about 2 minutes, then it just sounded like I was in a wind tunnel and was popping a lot. The pops still hurt, but not like the initial slam and ring. When you plug your nose and can blow air out of your ear, you know it's blown...
I can hear air blowing out of my ear when i plug my nose.. what does this mean??
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Probably have the same case as posted above. The doctor said the same thing to me, its such a weird feeling to have air pass through your ear.
dta
Site Supporter
- Location
- land of entaxment
In years of wakeboarding and surfing, we've used the wax balls with much better success than the foam plugs.