Hearing and Ear Protection for Dinghy Sailor

hearing ear protection for sailing

How can Sailing a Dingy affect your ears

Ear Drum Rupture

The mast hitting you hard straight at the ear, or suddenly landing in the water while going at a high speed has the potential to rupture to your ear drum, as well as pain and immediate dizziness from exposing the middle ear to cold water can also occur. 

ear and hearing protection ear drum rupture

Surfers Ear

Regular capsizing 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. 

surfers ear exostoses bony growths

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

If you are concerned you may have damaged your ear during sailing you will need to consult your GP for an ear examination.

Helmets for Dinghy Sailing

If you are a dinghy sailor you will know how important it is to wear a helmet, aspects such as the mast hitting you on the head, gliding into some rocks can make for a horrible accident. As we urge to go faster and faster, the increased risk of trauma becomes higher.  In regards to protecting your ears, a good helmet will help provent against your sail splicing your ear, a sudden perforated ear drum and even surfers ear are all things to be aware of when on the water. Additionally the occurance of "brain freeze" is common while wind surfing in cold water, so a good helmet and hooded jacket that helps to insulate your head and protect from wind chill is what you need.

Best Sailing Beanie

Another important piece of headwear to have is a beanie hat to keep your head warm and your ears protected. These can be worn under helmets and would mean that earplugs wouldn't have to be used and stop your inner ears getting cold and over exposed to wind chill.

Ear Plugs for Wind Surfing

Wearing a good quality helmet will definitely help reduce the chances of head and inner ear trauma occuring within your ear as the helmet will help to take the brunt of it, the problem occurs with your ear canal still being exposed to flushing or option hitting the centre of your ear when this part is exposed.

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 dinghy sailing 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 dinghy sailing is your world then custom moulds really are the way to go.

Prevention Tips for Dinghy Sailor

  • Know your boat, knowing how your boat responds in all weather conditions, how far the mast goes will make you fully aware of where is safest to position yourself
  • Use a helmet designed for dinghy sailing that meets the CE EN1385 Water Sports Safety Standard.
  • Pratice capsizing, this will make you much more confident on the boat and less likely for you to get injured in the process.
  • Plan your route, be aware of shallow reefs, or rocky grounds as well as timing your return and knowledge of the wind. Advanced planning allows for less accidents to occur while out at sea.
  • If you sail regularly in cold water - custom made ear plugs are more expensive than generic ear plugs but will be a good investment at preventing water entering your ear canal at all, keeping them warm and dry.
  • If your more of a occasional sailor using the generic shop bought plugs is do-able, however the additional use of a neoprene headband or hood will help keep your ear plugs in as well as give extra protection to your ears.
  • Keep your ear plugs with your sailing gear, ready to hand.
  • Keep your ears toasty warm outside of the water, using a hood up/beanie/woollen hat when out in the cold