Every kayaker needs to see this! (Surfer's Ear)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2021
- Surfer's Ear - I'm not talking about swimmer's ear or simple ear infections. This is a video warning of the inevitable bone growth in your ear canals if you kayak in cold (68*F and cooler) water and wind, and the simple way to avoid it. While I'm not a doctor and don't claim to be, I am now recovering from surgery myself, so I wanted to share what I learned so that maybe you can avoid the surgery I just had.
***Update: It's appearing in warm water surfers now too... this study found it in surfers in Australia where the water temp ranged from 69 degrees in winter to 83 degrees in summer. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... Also, I've switched back to docs pro plugs.
One additional note that I learned from Dr. Hetzler when I was in Santa Cruz was that about 4% of his patients (out of a very large sample size) continue to get bone growth even after removal of the bones and avoidance of cold water and wind. This is, of course, anecdotal, but it's been consistent feedback from his patients. Some patients continue to surf or kayak without ear plugs, opting for more surgery years later. The simple reality is that surgery is completely avoidable if you just wear your ear plugs.
Additional resources:
Dr Hetzler's profile on Sutter Health: www.sutterhealth.org/find-doc... called the Kelly Slater of Surfer's Ear surgery: surfears.com/2018/10/04/docto...
If you need surgery, I highly recommend Dr. Hetzler and his team. Aside from working out the insurance to get it all covered, his team was outstanding and he did an excellent job on my ears. I was essentially healed in two weeks, but gave it an extra week just to be safe. If you are going to travel for surgery, be sure to check that Dr. Hetzler, the surgery center, and the anesthesiologist are all in network. If one or all of them are out of network, you can get the ones out of network covered as "in network" for the one procedure by calling them and having them file for a waiver/agreement with your insurance company. All three bill separately and the one that's out of network is the one you need to talk to. Your insurance company will call you and you'll likely have to stay on them too. I called about every two weeks and even spent hours on the phone the day before my surgery after flying to Santa Cruz from TN. Ultimately, it all worked out, but I'm happy to help if you have questions.
Another video explanation from Surf Ears: surfears.com/surfers-ear/
recommended ear plugs:
1. Surf Ears: surfears.com/product/surfears...
2. Doc's Pro Plugs: www.proplugs.com/
3. You can find knock-offs on Amazon, but I highly recommend those two brands.
4. You can also get quality custom ear plugs made by your ENT, but the fit may be slightly tight or loose as you open and close your mouth and they're quite expensive and challenging to replace if lost.
If you want to check out your own ears or your family and friend's ears, here's a link to the otoscope that Dr. Hetzler recommended:
www.amazon.com/dp/B08CXJCXTL?...
The link changes often, so if you're having trouble finding it, copy and paste this to search:
Otoscope,Ear Endoscope,Ear Wax Removal Tool,3 in 1 Ear Scope,720P HD Waterproof Camera with 6 Adjustable LED Lights for Android Phone (OTG+Micro USB+Type C) Window Mac PC with Ear Pick Cleaning Kit
Dr. Hetzler also recommended these two videos for help using the scope properly.
USB Ear Camera used on a Mac: • USB Ear Camera used on...
USB Ear Camera used on a PC: • USB Ear Camera used on...
I really appreciate you putting this out. I've been the old (mediocre paddler) curmudgeon telling the young lads to wear ear plugs and other safety gear, but of course they don't listen....and it's not (yet) because they have surfer's ear. ;) I have tinnitus and get get ear infections. Had my ear drum rupture once. Good times! Things are taken for granted, until we lose them. There is a host of hearing and health related issues that cause long lasting or permanent issues from not wearing plugs. Water is loud....and it ain't usually Irish Spring fresh! If you wouldn't drink it, probably a good idea to avoid forcing it into your ear drums and through to your sinuses! Anyway, sorry for the rant, but it's great to see a respected paddler post this. Thanks.
Very well explained! Thanks!
Surf ears are class, I think I have the early stages of this, I use ear plugs in my playboat but rolled my creeker and was in actual ear pain, ear plugs all the way man
This is a great video w a lot of good info that I find a lot of boaters don’t know. (I wish this had something in the title to help searching for it. Even just “(Surf Ear)” at the end would do it. 🤔) I didn’t realize how warm the water could be and still cause problems. I’m now wearing my earplugs every time.
Glad you recovered well, thank you for your education !!🏖🏖🩴🩴
Great video! I have used ear plugs on and off, but after seeing this I will be much better about using them! Thanks
How and why this isn't common knowledge in the boating community is beyond me. My home waters never reach 70°, most of us ditch dry gear by the time air temps are that high lol. Protecting yourself and your friends means hearing too! Spread the word while it's not falling on deaf ears...
Thanks for the info!
I have early stage extososis. I recommend Dr Patel for anyone in the Portland area who needs a good evaluation. I went to another guy first and he wanted to drill right away. Dr Patel treated my recurrent infection and I haven’t needed surgery.
That's good to know. If it's still early stage then ear plugs should stop it from progressing too.
wow I knew ear infections were a problem if you didn't wear plugs
but bone growth?
that's mad
I’ve never heard of this. But it kinda sounds like what my buddy has right now with his ear. This is great info!
Listen to the hammer factor episode about surfers ear, they interview the doctor that he is referring too. It’s hammer factor episode 55!
Good listen.
Never been able to keep warm protection in. While in the water. So I do my best not to flip. And if I do, I roll up pretty fast.
Yep I always wear ear plugs especially in cold
it's amazing to me how warm is considered cold enough to cause bone growth, 68 degrees F even in the summer
Thank you!!!
I enjoy your content. So with Surf Ears do you wear the retainer cord around your neck as shown in the instructions? Seems like it could be a be a little bit of a hazard unless it breaks easily enough? Thanks!
very important !
Would you consider doing a tutorial on shoulder dislocations and getting trashed a hole. I have dislocated both and just had surgery on the worse side. This coming season, i want to start kayaking class4 with confidence again and maybe even progress more. I see pros getting tosted in big water holes and just cant imagine how their arms are still attached.
Wow, thanks for sharing this information.
I’m not sure why kayakers aren’t told this at the start 🤷🏻♂️. We know it now but nobody talks about it.
@@CleanLineKayaking I got the camera you recommended and after cleaning out wax for several days, I was able to see after just 6 years of kayaking - I have a small amount of bone growth. Thank you again for sharing this information.
@@MichaelChanslor it’s amazing how fast it happens, even faster in playboaters. Glad you know now, just pass it on
Did you notice an improvement in your hearing after surgery?
Yo do a “Washington tuck” how to vid/ Oregon tuck vs paddle toss. There is nothing on youtube about it. Would be a great video. Just to supply you with content ideas .
waterfall vids coming soon! Thanks for watching
Vented or non vented?
I prefer vented for hearing. A little water is okay, but the in and out flushes are the biggest issue. 🤙🏻
Scuba divers too?
yup, anyone exposed to cold water and wind over time