RE: [Paddlewise] Surfer's ear?

I had my right ear drilled a few months ago for surfer's ear and let me tell
you what I've learned.

The bone growth that occurs in the ear canal is a natural growth...God's way
of protecting the ear drum from exposure to cold temperature.  In my case,
I've been surfing since 1969 primarily in Santa Barbara where I currently
live.  Our winter water drops to ~55 degrees.  Ear plugs are a great way of
protecting the ear drum from the cold water, thus preventing the bone
growth.

The doctors in Santa Barbara are drilling lots of ears these days.  In my
case the bone growth completely closed the ear canal.  I was 100% deaf in my
right ear, with 85% closure in my left ear.  The procedure is rather simple
these days.  Whereas they used to make a long incision behind the ear, flap
the ear forward, then drill...nowadays they go directly into the ear canal.
You're under anesthesia so you miss the whole show when the Black and Decker
shows up, and you wear the stupid looking turban over your head for a few
days, but other than that it's relatively painless.

The bottom line is this...if you're exposing your ears to cold water and/or
cold wind for extended periods of time, you've probably got some degree of
surfer's ear.  My hearing wasn't impacted until after the canal was over 95%
closed.  Then I had a hard time hearing my wife ask me to wash the dishes,
paint the house, etc etc. ;-)  So wear your ear plugs.

The cold water is my excuse for not practicing my Eskimo rolls, although I
know I should be.

David Powdrell



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