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hbh2oguard
01-21-2008, 11:34 PM
Has anyone tried diving with Doc's proplugs(Vented)? I just went to the ENT and was told I have the very early stages of surfer's ear. I've never liked them surfing but I guess I'll give them another shot. The doc said proplugs won't work well with diving even though on their website they say you can dive with them.

Papa Bear
01-22-2008, 03:49 PM
Try 1/3 Alcohol, 1/3 White vinegar, 1/3 Water and put a couple drops in your ears after each dive. Then buy an Ear Dryer! At the end of the day dry them! If you do this each time you wont have ear problems! One more thing never put anything smaller than your Elbow in your ear!:eek:

BamaCaveDiver
01-22-2008, 05:10 PM
I have heard one or two folks say the Pro-Plugs worked for them, but the majority of those I know who have tried them did not like them. I agree with the old boar, just mix up some ear beer and use it religously. The trick with using the ear beer is to keep your head tilted to the side for a few minutes to give the stuff time to kill the bacteria, typically 3-5 minutes for me. I use a 50-50 mixture of alcohol and vinegar; the vinegar kills the bacteria and the alcohol acts as a drying agent. If you are prone to infections, try using it both before and after your dives. Been hearing of a lot of folks coming down with ear infections as of late, so I hope this helps.

hbh2oguard
01-22-2008, 06:50 PM
I never get infections, the bone in the ear canal is growing which is stimulated from the cold water so I don't see how ear beer or drying is really going to help. But I guess it couldn't hurt.

Papa Bear
01-22-2008, 07:20 PM
Try a Hood! Do Eskimos have big bones in their years? Not sure I have heard that one!????

Papa Bear
01-22-2008, 07:40 PM
I can't find any info on bone growth due to cold water? If you have a link I would be interested, But never heard of such a thing? I do know an infection can cause that type of problem! Answered that!

The Publisher
01-22-2008, 09:14 PM
What about ears being susceptible to DSC from being intoxicated from the alcohol?

;)

Papa Bear
01-23-2008, 01:44 AM
You can have DCS of the inner ear! It is possible to have bubbles form in any part of the body, but ear plugs wouldn't help that! If you have pain in the ears right after surfacing that is one of the possibilities to consider!

hbh2oguard
01-23-2008, 02:04 AM
Here are a few links, just type in Surfer's ear into a search you can get many more

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfer's_Ear

(this might not be reliable enough for some so here's another few)

http://www.surfline.com/surfaz/surfaz.cfm?id=919


http://www.santacruzmedical.org/surfersear.html

The last one has a video of a surgery to fix the problem. This has NOTHING at all to do with infections. Couldn't tell you the last time I had one. It's a feature that our ear automatically does to try to protect the inner ear when we come in contact with cold water. I asked the doc. and I was told a hood would only help with wind.

Papa Bear
01-23-2008, 02:27 AM
It says: "Older Surfers" exposed to cold water and wind for prolonged periods. The outer channel closes down collecting wax build up and increasing infection risk! Again get a hood and a new doctor! One who dives would be best, if you need one let me know! A good hood will trap water and warm it and it surly cuts down on wind! ;)

Papa Bear
01-23-2008, 02:45 AM
SURFER'S EAR (exostosis) is found among salt water enthusiasts, usually males aged 20-39. Possibly due to cold water, the bony portion of the external canal becomes thickened and eventually creates a knob-like projection. Over time, several of these growths may close the ear canal causing significant hearing loss. The condition is painless and may go unnoticed for a number of years until hearing loss becomes obvious. Surgical correction by a specialist may be necessary to restore normal hearing.

There seems to be more study needed, because it maybe in our genes, and it maybe because of the rush of blood to the area due to the cold. If you wear a hood it traps water and your body warms it so that the ear does not flush with blood to warm its self. So wear a hood and you shouldn't have a problem!

hbh2oguard
01-23-2008, 03:52 AM
Dude, you need to read what it says! "Older Surfers" exposed to cold water and wind for prolonged periods. The outer channel closes down collecting wax build up and increasing infection risk! Again get a hood and a new doctor! One who dives would be best, if you need one let me know! A good hood will trap water and warm it and it surly cuts down on wind! ;)

And right above that:
Medically known as "exostosis of the external auditory canal", surfer's ear is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind. Cooling of the ear canal stimulates bone growth that narrows the canal and blocks the eardrum. This narrowing traps water and earwax in the canal, often resulting in painful ear infections and hearing loss.

The outer layer closes down due to bone growth which then will collect wax leading to increased risks of infection. Sure a hood will help but cool water is still getting to the ears so that's why ear plugs (which blocks the water) and a hood (insulation) is best.

hbh2oguard
01-23-2008, 03:56 AM
There seems to be more study needed, because it maybe in our genes, and it maybe because of the rush of blood to the area due to the cold. If you wear a hood it traps water and your body warms it so that the ear does not flush with blood to warm its self. So wear a hood and you shouldn't have a problem!

The scary part is that I'm at the very very beginning of the age range. My dad, who is much old and has been in the ocean his whole life has no growth so not too convinced about the genes part. Again, I fully agree a hood will help but it isn't the best solution.

Papa Bear
01-23-2008, 04:25 AM
Well all I can tell you is that I have spent 53 of my 56 years in the waters of Southern California! Surfing and Diving and I don't have anything like "Surfers Ear" so there you go! I always wear a hood diving, but have never wore ear plugs or a hood surfing! So from what I have read it is the flush of the cold water in "Some" People that "May" cause a problem. Ear plugs won't keep the outer ear any warmer than a well fitting hood. If the water is cold at first it is not "prolonged" exposer to cold water. It is short and warms quickly from my experience. But if you feel it works for you then go for it, it won't hurt, even though it might not help! Good luck and go diving in warm water, its better all around, but you can still get infections! I know;) Don't forget the ear beer!

BamaCaveDiver
01-23-2008, 06:55 PM
I apologize as I read surfer's ear and thought swimmer's ear; this is the first I have ever heard of such a condition (I did grow up surfing, but it was in FL.) It does not sound like a fun condition, so I wish you the best with finding a workable prevention.

As I said, I have met a couple of folks who have tried the Doc's ProPlugs and found them to work satisfactorily, while meeting several others who cursed the things. They might be worth giving a try; best advice I can think of is to contact an ENT (or whatever specialty this relates to) that has a thorough knowledge of dive related issues (DAN could probably recommend someone, have you tried contacting them?).

Since the condition can trap water and lead to infection, I would still opt for the ear beer both before and after the dives. It may not treat the condition specifically, but it can still help control some of the nasties that the condition facilitates.

I do hope you find a solution that works for you.

hbh2oguard
01-23-2008, 08:40 PM
Good luck and go diving in warm water, its better all around, but you can still get infections! I know;) Don't forget the ear beer!

Well thanks but I don't see any warm water in the future. In fact it's just getting colder since I'm now going to school in northern/central Ca. I will have to brew up a batch of ear beer today.:)

hbh2oguard
01-23-2008, 08:42 PM
Bama I'll have to give DAN a call and see what they say. I guess I'll give ear plugs a shot to see how they work.

DPP Santa Cruz
03-19-2008, 03:46 PM
Hi

Exostosis occurs from repetitive exposures to water cooler than body temperature and skin cooled by evaporation. The severe narrowing of the canal by exostosis is the way the body naturally reacts to protect the eardrum and inner sensitive ear parts from the cold.
When you are entering the water with the vented proplugs, you are entering the water with a canal full of warm air which already puts you in a less stressful mindset without the discomfort of cold water in your canal and pain of cold water on your eardrum. Hope this clarifies some things.

Cheers;

www.proplugs.com

DPP Santa Cruz
03-19-2008, 04:10 PM
... I also wanted to add that because there are eight premolded sizes ranging from tiny to xx-l. Sizing is perhaps the one catch to these earplugs as a snug and tight fit is needed. Make sure to check if your local dive shop carries them, they will have a fitting kit with the eight sizes and some alcohol wipes so that you can try them on. If they don't have your size, just get in touch with me.

Cheers;