 Just about every surfer has shared stories about the injuries they got while surfing gnarly waves. It may have been a head bunt with their board, a hand cut on a fin, or even a dislocated joint from a huge wave. While these are rare injuries, they do help paint a more interesting narrative.
Surfer’s Ear: How it happens and who can get it This blog has frequently discussed swimmer's ear, but there’s a syndrome of surfing that is more prevalent, yet rarely acknowledged. It could actually be more dangerous. This syndrome is known as surfer’s ear (exostosis). Surfer’s ear occurs when the ear(s) become(s) irritated from cold water. This normally happens as a result of long exposure to cold water. Surfers, old and young, can experience it. What happens is, over time, the ear canal becomes irritated and as a result bone will start to grow in that area. This causes the canal to become more and more narrow, which leads to hearing loss. Ultimately, the bone growth becomes very obvious because a person with this problem can experience complete hearing loss. The only treatment for this issue is cutting off or shaving the bone growth. This procedure would need a recovery period of six to eight weeks. Surfer’s ear doesn’t just lead to hearing loss, but the bone growths will trap water which leads to frequent infections. This leads to high risks for people who spend a lot of time in the water to surf. Wetsuits are providing surfers with the opportunity to go into the water almost year round, raising the risks for surfers of all ages. About one in three surfers experience this problem, and if left untreated it can lead to pain and severe hearing loss. Are there Treatments for Surfer’s Ear? The only real cure for surfer’s ear is surgery. It’s best to take preventative measures, like wearing earplugs, prior to going into the water. You can also try these Swedish company's earplugs that are specially designed for surfers. Sound waves can be heard, while the real waves stay out. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, for any reason, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands including HANSATON, Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Rexton, Signia, Starkey, Unitron and Widex. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.
0 Comments
 Swimming or running through a sprinkler is a great way to spend a hot summer day. There’s a chance that all of the contact with water could raise the risk of water becoming trapped inside your ears. Some symptoms of water being trapped in your ears are sensations of fullness inside your ear canals, and/or feelings of water moving around in your ears. It can occur in just one or both ears.
If the water doesn’t drain out on its own, this could cause otitis externa, which is more commonly known as swimmer’s ear. The reason behind Water becoming Trapped inside the Ears There are several reasons why water can stay stuck inside of your ears. One reason is if a person has narrow ear canals. Another reason could be that there is something that is obstructing the ear canal, like too much earwax or a foreign substance. Some People are more likely to Experience this than Others Children and adults who spend a lot of their time in the water are at a higher risk than others. Water can get stuck in your ears anytime you submerge yourself in water. If you turn yourself upside down, for example during a flip or handstand, water can become trapped in your ears. 7 Tips to Remove Water from Your Ears
DO NOT insert any objects in your ear, like cotton swabs, hair pins, or other small objects. This can damage your ears. Are there Risks to having Water Trapped in Your Ears? In some cases there are risks to having water trapped in your ears. Everyone’s ears produce earwax (cerumen), which is waxy and water repellent. In most cases, water will gently fall out on its own. If it doesn’t, this can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could cause swimmer’s ear. Bacteria thrive in a wet and humid environment, with an ear canal that is full of scratches and abrasions, or reacting to allergies and other skin diseases. What are Early Symptoms of Swimmer’s Ear? The following could be mild symptoms swimmer’s ear:
Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, or if water has been trapped inside your ears for days or weeks. Preventative Measures Wear earplugs that are specially designed to use in water. They might be pricier than the average ear plugs that you get from the drugstore, but they can be customized to fit your ears and they are reusable and washable. Monitor the Health of Your Ears If you notice any changes in your hearing, keep a record of it and talk to a hearing healthcare provider. A hearing test can be conducted in order to determine whether or not you are experiencing hearing loss and how severe the loss is. Getting early treatment, with hearing aids or other listening devices, will help you keep the hearing abilities that you still have. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Musicians, Protect Your Hearing
If you are a musician, your ears are needed to keep your instruments in tune and get inspired by your surroundings. Without the ability to hear, it would cause musicians to struggle with doing what they love. Your hearing abilities shift over time, especially if you play an instrument. About one in eight Americans - of any age - experiences some range of hearing loss, so it’s very important for musicians to properly protect their ears. Modern technology has significantly advanced earplugs. You no longer need to wear over-sized foam plugs, because today’s earplugs are more discreet. Here are Some of the Best Earplugs for Musicians that are Available Now:
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. |
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed