Ear and Head Protection for Boxing

Boxing is the only sport where the objective is to render your opponent incapacitatied using blows to the head or body. Due to this particular nature is is inevitable certain parts of the body will get damaged and can leave long lasting damage.

Cauliflower Ear

A common sight in Boxing is what is known as Cauliflower ear, this is a deformity of the outer ear that has developed over time. It will appear swollen and inflammed. When the cartilage of the ear is injured by trauma to the ear, the blood supply from the skin is disrupted often causing a hematoma, a pocket of blood, as the injury heals the skin folds in on itself becoming more pale and giving a cauliflower appearance hence then name.

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Ear drum Rupture

The force of a hard knock to the ear has the potentail to cause a rupture to the ear drum, resulting in pain, pontential infection, tinnitus and hearing loss. 

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Wearing a headguard or headgear can be a controversial topic in boxing, in the 2016 Olympics, headgear was banned. It was suggested that when wearing headgear the chances of concussion could be higher. There is an element of when wearing headguards and headgear that a boxer may feel safer and less vulnerable making them want to attack harder and more often than they would given they were not wearing headgear. There is also the element that by wearing a headguard you are increasing your size and surface area making it easier for someone to hit you however there are a few additional things to think about. By increasing your head size by using headgear you are also making your head more compact and less obtrusive with yours ears now neatly tucked in. You still have the chance of getting concussion while using a headguard but the question is to think about your limits while using one and not to push them. There is the chance of head injury but by using a headguard you are adding an effective amount of padding around key points of your head such as your temple, forehead, cheekbones, chin and ears which act as an impact absorber reducing the amount of force and therefore the amount of damage done to you on a temporary and permanent level.

Headguards to Protect Your Ears When Boxing

It is important for your headguard to be effective that you obtain the correct size headguard for you. This is done by measuring the distance around the whole of your head at the widest point (just above the ears) and check the size guide provided when buying the headguard.

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Headguards are designed to fully protect crucial damage points of your face such as your jaw, chin, temple, cheeks and obviously your ears. Its aim is to provide wide peripheral vision while keeping your head snug and compact.

The headguard is secured at the back where there is are two large velco plates to fix together. Inside is a thick amount of padding your head will actually sit in a breathable anti-microbial lining to prevent your head from burning up while being surrounded by such protection.

It also helps protect most of your head from abrahsions which are common in boxing. Even to the underneath of your chin there is some support and protection and this is quite a vulnerable area for the head normally. 

Make sure when tightening your headgear up that your ears are fully in to the lining to match up with the ear pockets. This headguard has substantial ear thickened protection either size so you want to be making the most out of this headgear. Getting into the helmet you will straight away notice how comfortable it really is especially around the cheek bones. It is ultra light as boxing headguards go and due to the particular materials used makes it easy to clean.

Your ears in this headguard are fully protected around the rim as long as the headguard fits your correctly and doesn't move out of place. The large opening to the ear means you avoid unpleasant pressure to the ears and hear what is being said around you.