When the ear is exposed to water and cold wind over a period of time the ear canal can narrow due to bone growth, this can lead to deafness or serious infection. The only solution to the problem is surgery. I know a couple of paddlers who have had this surgery and it is not pleasant.

Many kayakers are now aware of “surfers ear” and have started to wear neoprene skullcaps to protect the ears, however surfers have found that wearing skullcaps doesn’t always prevent surfers ear.

The only real way to help prevent the growth is to protect the inner ear by isolating it from the cold water/wind by using ear plugs.

I have had my ears checked out and thankfully I have no sign of surfers ear. I have had a mould taken of my ears so that a set of custom ear plugs can be created. I’ll be reporting back on these over the next few months.

You could go down the custom route or get some Doc’s Pro Plugs.

A search on Google Images or Youtube will find lots of gruesome shots of Surfers Ear pre and post surgery.