Perforated Eardrum!?!

^ TMI.....as usual.....TMI.....

 

I've always had a problem getting all the water to drain out of my ears after a surf session.

Back in the early 80's, it got so bad that I couldn't get anything to drain. My canals eventually started closing up to the point where I could barely hear...then I developed sharp shooting pains deep inside my ears.

I was young and poor and hate going to the doctor, but was eventually forced to do so. I thought for sure that I would undergo the dreaded "Surfer Ear" surgery.

Doctor looked inside and said I had a severe blockage. He then proceeded to take one of those Water Piks (remember those?) and filled a water tray with lukewarm water. He then used the gentlest setting and irrigated my ears with warm water.

Within 5-10 seconds, huge hunks of foul-smelling crust and goo started blasting from my ears into the water tray and VOILA...my ears felt so good it felt like I could hear one of those secret dog whistles.

Moral of the story: I bought one of those Water Pik's and every so often I will use it as "ear maintenance". Works like a friggin' charm.

Brad, it sounds like you will need to stay out of the water and get a Dr's script for some antibiotics. Could be worse, it could've happened during that sweet swell you EC guys had last week.