10 years ago, I got caught on a late take-off on a hollow wave, planted the rail at the bottom of the wave, and fell violently, slapping the water with the flat of my ear. My eardrum perforated, and I spent 5 minutes totally disoriented, unable to get back on my board. I finally made it back to shore paddling.

For the anecdote, my doctor told me he had also perforated his eardrum on the first day of a bodyboard trip to the Mentawai islands, and had to stay dry for his whole stay.

It healed, but I learned that an eardrum is made of two skins, and only one repairs. So it stays weakened. And as my exostosis was almost at 40%, I decided to always wear ear plugs from then on.

So I have been wearing ear plugs at almost every SUP session for 10 years now, and my exostoses have not progressed. Here is my experience with the three models I tested, and my current verdict.

The three models I tested🔗

EQ Seals (ex Sorky): no adjustment needed, they go deep into the ear canal, where we almost all have the same size, hence a single size... but they only work for 95% of people. You need an easy-to-lose applicator to insert them, so not easy to remove and reinsert on the beach or on the water. Some were bothered by how deep they have to go. But they are perfectly waterproof. Sounds are quite muffled, with a slight plugged-ear feeling that can disturb your balance, but you get used to it fast.

Surf Ears The 2.0 model of 10 years ago was already not bad, but less good than custom-molded plugs. The new 4.0 model is really excellent: very supple, it adapts well and does not seem irritating, and you hear particularly well.

Aquason: custom-molded plugs fitted to your ears by a local audiologist, with a drilled hole covered by a waterproof membrane. Very expensive (180€), and you hear less well than with Surf Ears, but better than with EQ Seals. You need to get the hang of putting them in and taking them out. Their big plus is perfect watertightness and comfort: they press on a large surface, so no hard point or discomfort.

My conclusion then: Surf Ears when the water is not too cold (20 to 16°C) for the hearing, Aquason in colder water for comfort and watertightness, and EQ Seals if I wanted no water at all in my ears (otitis, perforated eardrum).

Ten years later🔗

I wore the Aquason at every session, even in summer, even under the hood in winter:

• no progression of my exostoses
• you get used to them very well
• one plug falls out from time to time (once every 100 sessions I'd say), never both, so a cord between them is enough
• but the silicone ages, and they leak, so I lost one that came off its cord
• so right now, while waiting for the Aquason, which take 12 days to be made, I wear Surf Ears 4.0, which have really progressed: much softer and smoother, both more comfortable and more watertight, and with even more adjustments. I strongly recommend them if you do not have the budget for custom-molded plugs
• I still had new custom Aquason made, now manufactured by Earow Audio, which seem more protective in case of a slap on the water (flat of the ear in a fall) for my healed eardrum

Advice for custom plugs🔗

• look up audiologists around you in the yellow pages
• contact them (email works well) to ask if they make Aquason, and at what price
• prices vary a lot: around me, from 125€ (Vaqué Audition Seignosse) to 180€ for the same plugs
• the fitting is now done with a 3D scanner, no more molding paste
• clean them after each session: a little water and soap, or an ultrasonic cleaner for glasses from time to time

In short, unless special cases, the SurfEars 4.0 from the Gong shop are really perfect.