Best earplugs for sufers ear'
hey there, I have had my right ear done about 10 year ago, and the left is getting close.
After losing gazillions of the 'docs pro plugs' (sorry they don't stay in my ears), i got fed up with $25 bucks a pop, so I pinched my wife's speedo brand pool swimming ear plugs. cost about $15 from the speedo shop in Chadstone, vic. They havent come out to date, and I cop plenty of waves on the head where I live!
So i recommend them! I can hear conversations, but of course they are muffled to some degree.
I also like they dont have a string like the pro plugs did, as it simply gets tangled!
good luck!
Blu - tac.
I'd rather not hear conversations. Most surfers speak too much shit anyway :)
Get custom plugs made from an audiologist. Last pair I got was about $150 but worth it.
OK pooh. Had several ops on both ears. Cold water the killer.
I used the malleable type of ear plug, but I had problems. Once you get water behind the plug it wants to work free. Then you keep pushing it back in while in the water and presto...problems.
Unlike dumpy I recommend docs pro plugs. I have had no problems since I started using them 3 years ago. Yes you will loose one occasionally (I don't use the ones with the string) but I figure if it keeps me in the water and away from the doctor I will spend $100 here and there. Good luck.
I don't know what they cost in Oz but I use the malleable silicone ones. They come in either white or blue and come in a little plastic box of 24. They cost about 800 yen here or about $9.00AUD. I break one in half and mould the halves into a cone shape and push quite hard into my ear. Generally the seal is water tight. I'm not too worried about being able to hear clearly, but you can have a front on conversation if the other person is within say, 10 metres or so of you.
I occasionally lose one but more often than not, throw them away and use a new one after the old ones start looking a bit grimy. I surf in really cold water in winter so my hood keeps them in anyway and only use plugs in the summer after rain or when my persistent staph infection kicks in (that's another story).
One box will last me a year or two. Sorry, can't think of the brand name I use off the top of my head but $150 for a set of plugs sounds excessive.
Sorry oldman, should have read your post a little more thoroughly. Some people have trouble with the silicone ones. For me they seem to work just fine.
Tried them all and agree the silicon ones work best.Also a few drops of Aqua Ear or similar usually removes any residual water left in the ear.
I'm scheduled for my first ear drilling later this year. I know I should wear plugs but hate the way they seem to disconnect me from the environment. Don't mind not hearing speech so much but don't like the sensory deprivation of plugs. Just recently saw these online, would be keen to hear if anyone had tried them:
Seems like a relatively new approach to plugs.
I wear the Sorky plugs - but they don't fall out of my ears.
I tried Macs which were uncomfortable and blocked a lot of sound and silicon putty which were just as bad and fell out.
It's funny you mention that pointy, I just spent the weekend down the coast and lost a brand new pair of sorkys I only got in the mail the day before (my third pair I've owned and had come out). I ordered the last pair before I started this thread.
So on weekend I lost one out of my left ear first surf and then the other one the next surf! They would be awesome if they stayed in but after losing my third pair I've come to the conclusion that they aren't much chop. Both days were in solid waves but at $70 I would have thought they would last more than two surfs. I have never had the regular Zogs swimmers ones fall out, but I don't like them as you can't hear with them (fussy bugger I know). Be interested to know how long you have had your Sorky's for? I did have one pair that lasted a month or so, but the other two pairs only lasted a couple of surfs.
reckon I might try the docs pro or just get custom ones as suggested by earlier posters. Thanks all for your help, want to avoid having the double op in another 20 years!
Hi pooh beach
I've had the Sorky's for about 8 months and they haven't come close to falling out.
there is only one size available and maybe they are just too smal for your ears?
The seufears mentioned by shannon sound good but does anyone know the price?
Blu Tack - been using it since the 80s when my doctor suggested it after years of infections - even while using Doc's Pro Plugs - the bony growths stopped growing, too. So even though he recommended drilling back then, which I've never had done, my ears are fine as long as I use the Blu Tack - if any water gets in , Aqua Ear takes care of that.
Hey liquidsilk, these look basically the same (and same price) as sorky's so pretty sceptical that they will not fall out, if you can guarantee you will replace for me free if they fall out then I would consider buying a pair.
Hey pooh beach, I can understand your frustration and I would purchase some custom made ones maybe if I was you and don't worry about trying to hear while in the water. Go old school and use blue tac like I use to even though it did affect my balance and hearing. yes $60 is the current price and the recommended retail price is $75. You are correct, EQ took over from sorky in 2010. They were designed by surgeons and engineers in Biarritz France. Mark Matthews uses them and has some kind of endorsement with EQ. Check out his tv show called the crew where he visits EQ in france while over there. You must take your own responsibility of loosing them. Having them fall out just has not happened for my mates and I and many others that have purchased EQ Seals. We do check after a wipe out if they are still in properly and if they are not then we re- adjust them accordingly. I can't guarantee you won't loose them again because I have no Idea how you are installing them for starters and how concious you are of them while surfing. You must take some liberty in checking and making sure they are in properly especially after a wipeout. My knowledge comes from my own experiences and the people I know that use EQ Seals and we have had no problems to date. My suggestion to you is that you get your ear canals measured and buy suitable ear plugs that will meet your needs such as custom made ones for around $150 and be happy with them or use blue tac. It sounds like your ear canals are bigger or smaller than 8mm to me and that could be another reason why you keep loosing them. Not sure of your circumstances but if you want to hear you can wear a hoody or sun cap while using EQ Seals which will help keep them in. EQ Seals were designed to fit the majority of ear canals. The average ear canal is 8mm in diameter. Good luck and I hope this helps with making a decision that will give you peace of mind while surfing. I can only verify what I have lived and these ear plugs are the best plugs I have ever used. They are the ducks nuts to me and many others I know. Maybe oneday they will design plugs for all ear canal sizes that let you hear. Blue tac is good but hearing and balance issues are present. I'd still be using blue tac if it wasn't for EQ Seals balance pro ear plugs and putting up with those issues. All the best to you
I was in the same predicament after a ruptured eardrum and had used the silicone type (lost them occasionally) and eventually went for custom earplugs from earmold that do the job well and were $80 with cord (I've since removed cord as the plugs don't come out), they have a bunch of agents that you can find on the internet, I got mine from Andy Strapz who does bike gear in Frankston area. No affiliation but have been happy with these especially after I was quoted $150 for custom plugs from a specialist ear place in the city!
I have been using earplugs from a long time. They are very comfortable and reusable. I got them online from here: http://www.aussieearplugs.com.au/
I found the rates reasonable than others.
I've been using http://www.earstore.com.au/macks-pillow-soft-adult-silicone-value-pack/ for a couple of years and find them great. They are comfortable and they def keep the water out. My brother uses these reusable ones http://www.earstore.com.au/macks-aquablock-earplugs/ You can buy them online pretty cheap from Ear Store, their an Oz co. http://www.earstore.com.au I also find that drying out your ears if you do get water in them that http://www.earstore.com.au/macks-dry-n-clear/ stuff is good & lasts for heaps. I've also used another one called aqua ear, which I'm pretty sure you get from most chemists.
I do recommend noise cancelling earplugs for use while traveling or any other hanging out of earplugs.
For more information please visit our website :- http://www.aussieearplugs.com.au/
Do you know all the earplugs have NRR (noise reduction ratio) which describes that up to how much extent they can stop the unwanted sound? Although these kinds of earplugs do not cause any harm to our ears. aussieearplugs.com(.)au
Darren, apart from the fact that your earplugs are phenomenally overpriced, you should really stop spamming these forums.
If you want to advertise here you should probably put those short little arms of yours into your deep pockets and pay the good people at Swellnet for some advertising space.
They have a business to run too you know.
Zenny what brand are your favorite malleable silicon ear plugs ?
I just nipped down to the car to check and found an old empty box- says CVS Pharmacy, maybe American. About $10 or so for 24, blue or white.
The new box I have is plain, I've thrown away the wrapper but they're a light blue opaque and different brand maybe Japanese or Chinese. They were a bit dearer, 1100 yen ($11) for a dozen. Bought them from local surfshop.
zenagain wrote:Darren, apart from the fact that your earplugs are phenomenally overpriced, you should really stop spamming these forums.
If you want to advertise here you should probably put those short little arms of yours into your deep pockets and pay the good people at Swellnet for some advertising space.
They have a business to run too you know.
Swellnet leggie and string coming your way Zenmon;)
Ninja physco straight to the point.....
zenagain wrote:Darren, apart from the fact that your earplugs are phenomenally overpriced, you should really stop spamming these forums.
If you want to advertise here you should probably put those short little arms of yours into your deep pockets and pay the good people at Swellnet for some advertising space.
They have a business to run too you know.
Hah love ya work Zen, added to the fact that ol mate spammer Darren ignored the fact that my initial query was to find a set of earplugs for surfing that I can still hear with (ie not noise cancelling).
shannon wrote:I'm scheduled for my first ear drilling later this year. I know I should wear plugs but hate the way they seem to disconnect me from the environment. Don't mind not hearing speech so much but don't like the sensory deprivation of plugs. Just recently saw these online, would be keen to hear if anyone had tried them:
Seems like a relatively new approach to plugs.
Shannon, I've got two pairs of surfears, got first pair and had one fall out after a couple of surfs, but emailed them and they sent me a new pair straight away free so can't complain. Since then I've had another fallout. They are great comfortable plugs, I reckon better than Sorkys, but still have same issue as sorkys in that they are still prone to falling out.
I've also used Docs plugs which are not as comfy as surfears or sorkys but have the benefit that if one falls out it's still attached to the other via the cord so you can't really lose them, and they are heaps cheaper.
I'm going to bite the bullet and get custom plugs from Doctor.
Had both ears drilled and was told by the good doc to use plugs otherwise we were to have a 2nd date in a few years time so shannon, may as well get used to using plugs of some sort cos you will be using them for life after your surgery.
Had plugs made by an audiologist and used Docs, Sorkys & Blutack. I have personally found Docs & Blutack the best. Currently I'm favouring Blutack.
Get a surgeon that goes straight in via the ear cannel. Less cutting, heat, pain, pain relief & time out of the water.
floyd wrote:Had both ears drilled and was told by the good doc to use plugs otherwise we were to have a 2nd date in a few years time so shannon, may as well get used to using plugs of some sort cos you will be using them for life after your surgery.
Had plugs made by an audiologist and used Docs, Sorkys & Blutack. I have personally found Docs & Blutack the best. Currently I'm favouring Blutack.
Get a surgeon that goes straight in via the ear cannel. Less cutting, heat, pain, pain relief & time out of the water.
Floyd, what are your opinion of the custom ones you got from audiologist, pros/cons etc?
Cheers.
I've tried many types of ear plugs and currently holding my surfers ear at bay.
The Docs Proplugs come in a lot of different sizes. Some places have fittings where you can figure out which size fits best. This makes them less likely to fall out.
Sorkey ones are super expensive once you start losing them. 3 sets of those and I was done.
Now I use Mack's Silicone ones from Woolies. Bright orange. Around $8 a pack for 6 pairs, and each pack lasts me 6-9 months (I only get a new one when I lose one). Yeah, you lose a bit of hearing but you also get used to it after a while. Feels weird when I lose one in the water now.
All cons:
While excellent at keeping water out they also keep maybe 95% of all noise out. The only things heard were: the wind; your breathing; and your heart beat. I really hated that and it was the main reason why I threw them away. Listening to your breathing and heart beat like that is really off-putting in the surf; like being the sound guy in a porn flick maybe.
Had to be removed to hear anyone in the line up "nice double over head barrel mate" "WHAT?"
Very hard plastic and while custom fitted they were rigid in the ears and therefore uncomfortable.
Cost
Hi everyone,
I'm a student of Product Design. I have to do a class project that consist in co-design, means that I have to collaborate with some community of internet to try to solve some problem that you all have.
I have noticed that the ear's surfer is a very common problem between the people that practice aquatic sports. I want to ask you if I can colaborate with you to try to design a new ear plugs that works correctly!
The tipical inconvenients are that they fall out, they are uncomfortable, you can't hear, etc.
Have you ever tried that one? http://www.surfmuff-uk.com/ (I have read that these fall out very easy too)
I will apreciate your colaboration! Thanks!!
Time to step into this thread: I've been partially deaf in my left ear for a few months now. I knew it wasn't too bad 'cos every now and again I could hear normally, but then something would shift and the canal would close over again.
Visited the doc yesterday and they syringed an amazing amount of wax out, and now I can hear again. The doc said I had 'sloughy' ears, meaning dead skin falls from my ear canal and prevents wax from exiting normally. The only solution? You guessed it, ear plugs.
Not sure what I'm gonna use yet, will try a few and see what works best. The idea of keeping all noise out, as Floyd mentioned, is a serious turn off. Gonna try and avoid any plugs that do that.
Suggest Docs to start with Stu, make sure you get the right size. A good surf shop should have spares to try with alcohol wipes to clean before and after. Interestingly my ear surgeon also sells Docs.
I'm seeing a specialist on Friday. Same problems as you Stu with the hearing coming and going. I think the last 2 months have been particularly bad.
It's annoying me enough now that I don't think I'll even care about wearing plugs now.
As soon as my head goes under water; water get's stuck in there every time.
I had problems for years with ear infections. In the end what cured it was a helmet. I sealed up the ear vents in the side and it made a huge difference to both the amount of water entering the ear and in protecting the ear generally. The cheap solution is blu-tac which I will still use on cold windy days. Use it once and chuck it. Obviously it is not medical grade but it is widely used and I've never heard of anyone having a problem with it.
Blue tac is probably good for twenty surfs in clean clear water I reckon before you ditch it, in filthy waters like canguu I would definetly toss it after each surf.
I literally had hundreds of infections from water getting trapped and had seen a surgeon a few times now over the last few years and he reckons I need the re bore soon but he's been saying that for 10 years. Tried plugs on and off including blue tack etc but simply hated the whole hearing your heart beat and breathing thing. But without plugs I kept getting water stuck in them. Plus I reckon I was surfing worse with plugs as I couldn't hear the water flow. Anyway got those new surf ears 4 months ago and have loved them. I've worn them in indo and California as well as nz in warm and cold water and haven't lost one yet. Best thing about them is being able to hear the water flow and having a conversation in the water. And not a single infection yet. I think they're $69in nz
Stu, I've done a years worth of R and D trying plugs that allow you to hear (after having both ears operated on). At the risk of sounding like a bit of a wanker: I surf pretty much everyday as opposed to someone who might only surf once a week and hence have lesser odds of having plugs fall out, so here's a completely unbiased and realistic opinion (a small percentage of replies in this thread are clearly invested financially in their responses)
Surfears and Sorkys are the most comfy. Surfears are way less prone to falling out than Sorkys because of the 3 size options you get with a set of plugs (as opposed to Sorkys which only have the one size) and the design which hooks around inside of your ear seems to help also. That said they are definitely still not immune to falling out.
I wore sorkys before and after my op so my earhole used to be smaller and is now bigger and I had sorkys fallout before and after, so regardless I don't think the size of their plugs is even necessarily the issue, they might just not be that reliable. (I would also point to the other commenter in this thread who has had sorkys fallout too, so it ain't just me)
The only plugs you can't lose are the Docs because they have the cord attaching one plug to the other, I've tried Docs and they fall out multiple times in a surf but because one ear is always still attached via cord you can't really lose them. But then Docs aren't nearly as comfortable. The cord can be irritating especially after you wipeout and it hooks over your face, but you get used to it. I've tried 3 different sizes of Docs and regardless of wether you get perfect size they will still fall out of one ear often, but as I said with cord still attached you can't lose them.
To date I have had (individual plugs) 5 sorkys fall out, 2 surfears fallout, but not lost a single pair of Docs. And when I say 'fallout' I mean lost to the ocean forever as they all fell out wiping out so when you come up the chance of finding them is near zero.
The takeaway: if you want the comfort but don't mind having to replace the odd one when they fallout, I would go for Surfears.
Or if you don't mind being a tad uncomfortable and you want to save $$ and have a reliable pair that you won't lose then go with Docs.
If surfears had a cord attaching one plug to the other than they would be perfect!
I would liken losing plugs to snapping boards, if you surf every other day and pull into a few closeouts and cop a few floggings then like snapping shooters, you are always gonna lose a couple of plugs, so I am not saying the ones that fallout are crap, it just means the odd inconvenience when they need to be replaced.
Hello,
Thought might add my 2 cents in as I'm an audiologist and see quite a few people with the same problem. From my understanding its a pretty difficult one to both have a really well sealed plug for surfing, that lets in adequate speech - to keep the most water and wind out a plug tends to need to be really sealed, or 'occluding' the ear. This being the case it tends to keep out speech pretty well too - So bit of a catch 22 - the more a plug lets in speech, the more I would think its letting in cold water and wind too, which causes the growth. I havent had much to do with the proplugs and the other over the counter options so can't comment on them, but for a cheap option the blutac seems to be a pretty good as it will mould itself pretty well to your ears - just make sure you change it every few surfs (really, its not that expensive and id worry that after a while it might break down and fall off in your ear) if getting moulded plugs like the ones I do, then if the audio is trying to sell you something which will 'let in speech' then I'd be pretty concerned it probably has some type of filter which is probably gonna let in water too - so if youre going down that path id recommend getting the plugs made from material as soft as possible (we have various options when ordering the plugs), with a connecting cord and brightly coloured too (so you dont lose them on the beach!) but yeah, expect not to hear much as a result. Although, may mean it keeps that rather painful operation at bay for a bit longer. And if you are prone to surfers ear, keep the window up in the car on the way home - cold wind can also promote the growth. cheers
There you go- advice from a professional and sounds altogether reasonable.
I hated being closed off from sound but you get used to it after awhile. I haven't tried anything other than the silicone ones and going by the price of the fitted plugs, probably not inclined to.
Pretty much the same as the advice I got from the specialist today. He said to use Blu Tac (which he uses personally) and an additional hood or helmet when colder.
Zenagain, I see what you mean but there's pretty good alternatives out there. Shouldn't have to conform to not hearing. Check out G Plugs. Pretty reasonable price and can still hear while wearing them. I think they're on Amazon too.
zenagain wrote:There you go- advice from a professional and sounds altogether reasonable.
I hated being closed off from sound but you get used to it after awhile. I haven't tried anything other than the silicone ones and going by the price of the fitted plugs, probably not inclined to.
Surfears have a membrane in the centre that acts like an ear drum - the sound can get through but the water can't. During the second surf that I had used Surfears I took one of those ear-slap wipeouts without dislodging the little bugger.
EQ Seals
EQ seals sound like the go .....$70 a pair ....whats the lifespan of them I wonder ?
even if it were only 12mths $70 per year is good value I think, better than surgery cost and pain.
EDIT : lifespan up to 2 years .....frequent use 1 year.
udo wrote:EQ seals sound like the go .....$70 a pair ....whats the lifespan of them I wonder ?
even if it were only 12mths $70 per year is good value I think, better than surgery cost and pain.EDIT : lifespan up to 2 years .....frequent use 1 year.
I know Misch and Bails from the vid, they both swear by them after using other plugs.
Misch also had surgery on both ears (one after the other too), so I guess for him the price for two years ain't bad considering the other costs involved.
EQ seals are crap! My frustration with them is what lead me to start this thread and try and find an alternative...
I went through 5 pairs of EQ seals (formerly sorky) in under a year (losing them after they fell out wiping out). My 5th pair fell out second surf!
I would also point you to the earlier commenter in this thread who also mentioned having his fall out.
These plugs are comfy but considering they are prone to falling out it was a pretty expensive exercise having to replace them that often. I was careful to adjust them constantly when in the water as well as following instructions when putting them in before a surf. I also used them before and after having the op so my earhole was small and then bigger, so the one size fits all is bollocks.
In my unbiased opinion EQ seals/sorkys whatever you want to call them are a rip and I would advise anyone against buying them, seriously how reliable can earplugs that only come in one size fits all possibly be!
EQ seals are crap .........
your first post you said they were awesome ?
so apart from losing them they are a brilliant ear plug for keeping water out but still being able to hear .........correct ?
Let me clarify udo,
I wrote my first post (almost a year ago now) prior to having tried surfears ($60) or Docs plugs ($30) and so had nothing to compare EQ's to. Having tried these and many other plugs since my initial post I have now come to the conclusion EQ's are indeed 'crap' when compared to other plugs on the market.
They work well and are comfy, but at the pricepoint I want plugs that will stay in. I haven't lost a single pair of docs and have only had one pair of surfears come out (they sent me a new pair straight away). Worth noting the Surfears lasted way longer then EQ's before I lost em.
Again I'm not the only one in this thread who has had this problem with surfears.
A few of the recent comments in this thread seem a little to much like advertorial by people invested in selling EQ's rather than giving unbiased advice, so I thought I better bring it back to reality.
By all means go out and buy a pair, they do keep the water out and allow you to hear but be prepared to replace them often.
pooh beach wrote:Let me clarify udo,
I wrote my first post (almost a year ago now) prior to having tried surfears ($60) or Docs plugs ($30) and so had nothing to compare EQ's to. Having tried these and many other plugs since my initial post I have now come to the conclusion EQ's are indeed 'crap' when compared to other plugs on the market.
They work well and are comfy, but at the pricepoint I want plugs that will stay in. I haven't lost a single pair of docs and have only had one pair of surfears come out (they sent me a new pair straight away). Worth noting the Surfears lasted way longer then EQ's before I lost em.
Again I'm not the only one in this thread who has had this problem with surfears.
A few of the recent comments in this thread seem a little to much like advertorial by people invested in selling EQ's rather than giving unbiased advice, so I thought I better bring it back to reality.
By all means go out and buy a pair, they do keep the water out and allow you to hear but be prepared to replace them often.
In the past I've tried surfears and Docs, IMO both were shit cause I could never keep them in.
e wrote:A few of the recent comments in this thread seem a little to much like advertorial by people invested in selling EQ's rather than giving unbiased advice, so I thought I better bring it back to reality.
I feel like this is kinda aimed at me cause I stuck up the EQ vid. Whilst I do know a couple of the blokes in the vid who use them (and like em) I'm in no way spruiking anything. If I want I can get a set at discount price, but guess what, I still choose blu-tack over all comers...ya may not hear much, but the tacky shit sure fuckin works, and sticks like shit to a blanket. And who really wants to listen to a bunch of knobs dribble shit in the water for two hours anyway ;-)
PS. I had no idea EQ's were rebranded Sorky plugs. If I'd known I wouldn't have bothered you with such a shit product!
Gday,
Just had both ears operated on for surfers ear, and now ready for the water.
Can anyone recommend a good set of earplugs for keeping the water out/that I can still hear with in the water?
I have used Sorky earplugs which were awesome but had 3 of them fall out when surfing so am onto my 3rd pair. Worth mentioning that Trigger Bros did replace for me free when the first one came out.
Thanks in advance!