Hearing and Ear Protection for Canoeist

How can Canoeing affect your ears

Surfers Ear (Exostoses)

Regular rolling of your canoe into cold water can cause bony growths within your ear canal to develop. This can trap water and debris which has the potential to cause a painful ear infection. In some causes when the growths begin to close the ear canal, causing deafness, surgery is required to remove them. 

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With better tecnology making thicker wetsuits and neoprene accesories on the market more people are canoeing in colder waters and in winter months than ever before, increasing the risk of surfers ear. 

Swimmers ear (Otitis Externa)

This is an infection in your outer ear which is often brought on by water that remains in your ear after swimming creating a moist enviroment that aids bateria to grow. Canoeing in polluted or dirty waters can increase the risk of swimmers ear. 

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As well as posible problems with surfers ear or perforating ear drums when hitting the water, canoiests are succeptable to hitting their heads due to the shallower water they canoe and move around in. It is advisable to wear a helmet when canoeing so that it can protect your ears and head from any bumps or hits to rocks when capsizing and under water.

• Ear drum Rupture

Hitting rocks, or your kayak itself if you are thrown out quickly on a faced paced river could cause a rupture to your ear drum, as well as pain immediate dizziness from exposing the middle ear to cold water can also occur. 

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If you are concerned you have injured your ear while canoeing it is important to see your doctor or GP for an ear examination

Best Helmets & Ear Protection For Canoeing

When looking for a excellent helmet for canoeing you want one with a stiff outer shell and dense shock absorption inside. The helmet needs to have adjustability to make sure it will stay firmly in place. When canoeing your likely to rotate and wobble a lot and that is before you canoe down a fast paced river.

Ear Plugs for Canoeing

Wearing a good quality helmet will definitely help reduce the chances of hitting your head on the canoe, rocks or river bank. The problem is a hood will still allow water into your ear, so for extra caution, using ear plugs will also help. Preventing water getting into your ears completely will protect your ears.

When it comes to finding the right ear plugs, there are many options out there but you need to find the ones specifically designed with surfing in mind.

The best solution to protect your ears while using a helmet is to get custom fit made ear moulds.  Although these do need you to have an impression of your ear taken, this means the ear moulds themselves will match your ear correctly. An ear impression will take into account each contour and unique bumps and shapes of your ear.

What you will find is because they match your ear shape correctly they will also be much more comfortable in your ear as well as keeping your ear fully sealed for water. The custom fit also has the ability to stay within your ear better and most custom made ear moulds will come with a lanyard to connect to your wetsuit if they do fall out. The major things to consider with custom made ear plugs is the price and booking yourself in with an audiologist to get an impression taken and over time you will need to have them re made as your ears slowly grow. If canoeing is your world then custom moulds really are the way to go.