I was supping Ulus the other week and got sectioned out going down the line,

I dived to go under the lip and bang – landed flat on my ear perforating my ear drum somewhere,

Immediately I felt the vertigo, but then it backed off within 5min and I was able to continue my session.

So I am looking for some advice by fellow seabreezers, who might have done this before, As it was about four weeks since I have done this but still have not got about 85% of my hearing in that ear, there is no pain and no discomfort otherwise.

But now we have a sup comp coming up over in Rottnest WA and I am keen as mustard to have a crack and even though I have purchased some good quality surfer ears am wondering if it is ok to get a small amount of water in that ear, as that will probarly happen.

I know the safe answer it to stay about of the water, but I don’t know if that will be possible.

I am sure other crew have had the same dilemma

Have you seen your Doctor to see what is going on ??
Can they see the perforation etc
It would usually be healed by now-but not always
Water in is a no no...
A simple trick to try is this -firstly try on your good ear to check
Place your thumb over your ear canal/hole and form a seal with gentle pressure
Rock your thumb gently and you will feel a vacuum type effect as it is a 'closed' system
Try this on the affected ear -if you can form a seal then all is probably good
If not you have an ongoing perforation
Have your GP take a look!

Ian i have done the same before. I just plugged the ear with blue tac. When the wave were pumping it worked fine. No water got in.

Hi mate,
I perforated my ear over summer this year and I'd say it took me about 6 - 8 weeks to be back to normal. It was a pain in the a#se because I could kinda hear stuff but there was a definite ringing. I also got an infection so that may have made things worse.
Hope that helps.

As Bender has said, use Blue-tac. I was getting surfers ear issues a few years and spent £1 on some blue-tac. Have used it since then and not had any problems.

Some stuff is not really healthy to get in your system....rather go for decent silicons like Macks but see your doctor first. I use the Macks now 4 weeks after a surfers ear operation last february and they keep your ear completely dry when placed correctly.

I'm interested to know what people are using in terms of keeping their ears dry. I had some pretty heavy ear surgery-replaced ossicles, eardrum reco, and payed $90 for 1 custom earplug. I have found the Blutac worked better as it seems to form a seal both through the moldable shape and the stickiness.

Oh, and yeah-see the doc. Not worth messing around with the ears. I refused to get the surfers ear op on my right ear after having it done on my left, and the recent surgery is a result.

i perforated my right ear drum during a nasty wipeout at north point during the margies pro recently. had plenty of ear issues as a kid, so every time something bad happens with my ears i seek professional help. doc gave me antibiotics to make sure i could avoid bad bacteria making a mess of my middle ear and suggested i buy earplugs and a wetsuit hood thingo to keep earplugs on through another bad wipeout. went out at 6 foot yallingup the next day and managed a wave on the head or two with no issues. get a few few weird looks for the hood, but worth it!

I use these - I can hear with him and it helps with my balance.

I imported mine but I understand someone in Vicco is selling them now.


surfears.com/

"them" not "him" - showing my age

Hey sparki
I have had recurrent perforations due to surf impacts over the years
Once they heal ,if youve had a couple,the eardrum can become a little less resiliant and more likely to rupture
Im also a doctor
I get away with blutac alone as it presumably dissipates the force enough if you hit the water sideways
It doesn't even have to be completely sealed airtight either(that way you can hear a bit!)
If you don't heal and you have a chronic perforation then you obviously can't let any water in
The hood must get bloody hot in summer!

Go see the doc, loz. You don't want a middle ear infection at all.

Yes i had it checked out straight away by a doc

and he immediately put his otoscope to far into my other ear

causing me to jump aback on my seat! not a pleasant feeling

at least he was more careful on the injured ear, but said "stay out of the water and it should heal it self' / which i kinda already knew

well, i was in doubt on it healing but just the other day my hearing came back ! (so about 4 weeks)

Eureka ! it was a great feeling and now if feels like it is 90% of the way there / stoked.

So now i will always be wearing my peak hat with the fabric over the ears and this will stop any impact in the future,

and then ear plugs for at least the next couple of months.

Thanks "Breezers" for the advice and info !