Looks like Sunday might line-up at Mohave ; but
i kinda got a problem :

Last visit to the Doctor , i was notified that if i don't
start using a hoodie OR ear-plugs, to keep the cold
water out of my ears : i'm looking at getting Both ears
ground down so the canal where the sound goes to the
ear-drum , is open. Apparently after 20 years of surfing
in cold winter water and 7 years of Kiting the same ; my
ears have had ENOUGH !! so they started to close up.

I'm Still kinda sorta --OK good for now , if i take precautions. So
what kind of hood do YOU use ; Ear-plugs are :
"non negotiable" , as in , NOT an option, as i would go Crazy !
OK -- i'm Already Crazy, but ear-plugs would only make it Worst !!

Bille

a friend of mine is already using plugs. has had his ears down already, and still have to use plugs. He talks really loud before he goes out.

Perhaps a good set of waterproof headphones and ur favorite tunes!

Surfer's Ear....it sucks! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfer%27s_ear
Most long-term surfers over 40 have this to one degree or other. Once you lose too much hearing, or it gets painful, or you keep getting infections....then it has to be dealt with.

Wear ear plugs and a hood and you won't have to get that drill in your ear. I know people who have had it done....6-8 weeks out of the water and quite unpleasant.

Doc's Pro Plugs are cheap and work great http://www.proplugs.com/ They are vented, so they don't impact your hearing or balance at all. Barely know you have them in.

This company sells custom made ones http://www.surfplugs.co.uk/ You can get these done up cheaper by visiting a hearing centre in your area. They will take a mold of your ear, then get them made of latex. Costs $50-100, no water will get in. (that site has some graphic photos of what the ear surgery looks like.

I have one of these to listen to tunes: http://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Aquabeat-Waterproof-Player-Black/dp/B00172TUFQ I think the headphones are sealed enough that they'd prevent surfers ear too.

Hood....most everyone up here uses 5/4 hooded suits, so they are built in.

Deal with it or there are painful imminent consequences! Yet another indignity of aging....

After 15 years of surfing and kiting in cold water my ears started closing up too. Had to have them sucked out by ENT guy with a needle size pipe until my last visit when he said my channel is too small to get the vacuum pipe in so he said I need to go for the drilling op soon.

I started wearing the docs pro plugs about three years ago and am on my third pair now, lost two pairs already after heavy use. They do work well and definitely slow down the process where I could go from every six months to every twelve months before I'd go deaf. The docs pro plugs do not interfere with your balance or hearing at all and are hardly noticeable.

I recently started using the dakine indo hat in conjunction with the pro plugs and this helps keep the ears warm even more as the strap that holds it on your head covers the ears. Also helps with the minimize sun exposure to my head and face. Only negative things about the dakine indo cap is the chin strap leaves a bit of neck chaff after some long sessions and the tops of my ears get sore if the bent and tucked away under the hat for a long time.

bloody hell something else to consider!..
what temperatures are we talking to cause this?

Any prolonged exposure to water temps under 60 degrees along with wind can cause surfers ear after many years. The cold water causes extra blood flow to the area creating more bone growth in the outer ear.

Wear a hood or look forward to this:

water temperature 10-15°C (50-60°F) and air temp over the sea on average 20°C (68°F). It is a common problem amoungst a lot of the local guys here. When the ear gets wet it is mostly the cold wind blowing on it that effects it I think. Read up about "surfer's ear" on the internet and start protecting at first signs of hearing loss. Some guys use Blu-Tack/Prestik in their ears as a cheaper alternative but this impairs hearing during sessions.

I think both You & Me, have always had the attitude :
"I've got a handle on it" , "what are those weak-ass humans complaining
about Now" ?

Never thought or considered that MY ears would develop this problem ;
that's something that happens to Other genetically inferior people, but Not me.

Well -- go back & read the part in the first post in this Thread ...
the part just following --- i Kinda got a problem :

Fokiten likes to Laugh when i post shit about my screw-ups, but
the truth is --- it's OK to laugh at me, IF it helps ((someone/anyone))
from fucking-up like i just did with MY ears !!!

Ignorance is NOT Bliss (.)
"so now Ya know what Cold & Wind can do to your ears" .

Bille

Hi mate,

http://www.ebodyboarding.com/Wetstuff/Hoods/Headhunter-Wet-Bucket-Hat
If you find the camouflage hat, please let me know. That's the one I'm wearing and I'm still on my first hat which looks like new (but is 5 years old!). I'm on the water kiting at least 200 days p.a.

Cheers
Caesar