This one's personal — I've got surfer's ear myself, and between that and the UV damage in my eyes, it's fair to say years on the water leave a mark. So I wanted to properly explain what surfer's ear actually is, why it's not just a "surfing" problem, and what I'd genuinely recommend, based on what I've done about my own.
Windsurfing, kitesurfing, wing foiling, SUP, kayaking, dinghy sailing — if you're spending hours in UK water with the wind on you, you're at risk, not just surfers in the lineup. The cold water and wind combination is the trigger, and British coastal conditions tick both boxes for most of the year.
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Up to 70%
Of long-term cold-water riders show some exostosis
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Years
Of repeated exposure before it's noticeable
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Not just surfers
Any wind + cold water sport carries the risk
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Irreversible
Once it's grown, only surgery removes it
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What is surfer's ear?
The medical name is exostosis — abnormal bone growth inside the ear canal. It's your body's own defence mechanism, laid down in response to repeated cold water and wind exposure, but it doesn't know when to stop. Over years it can narrow the canal enough to trap water and wax behind it, which brings a whole new set of problems: muffled hearing, a permanent blocked feeling, and repeated ear infections because trapped water has nowhere to drain.
It builds up slowly — you won't notice it after one season, it's the accumulation of years in the water that does it. Left to progress, the only fix is surgery to remove the bone growth (a canalplasty), which isn't a quick or cheap procedure and comes with weeks of recovery before you're back in the water. Prevention with decent earplugs is a lot less hassle than the alternative.
Universal earplugs: what we stock
For most people, a good universal earplug is all you need, and it's where we'd tell anyone to start. We stock SurfEars, and in our experience they're the best universal ear protection out there by a long way. They come with interchangeable gel tips and wings in multiple sizes, so you can actually get a snug, comfortable fit rather than the generic one-size-fits-nobody feel of a lot of cheaper plugs — and critically, they're designed to protect your ears from water and cold without blocking your hearing or messing with your balance, which matters when you're reading wind and other water users around you.
They also come with a removable leash built in, which brings us to the point I can't stress enough — see Sam's Tip below.
Custom-moulded earplugs: the next step up
If you want the best possible fit — or you've already got some exostosis and want the most secure seal you can get — custom-moulded earplugs are the route. This is what I use myself. The process is straightforward: you book an appointment with a local audiologist who takes impressions of your ears (this is a separate cost to the plugs themselves), then those impressions get sent off to a custom moulding company who 3D-scan them and produce your plugs to that exact shape. I currently use Snugs, and I'd recommend them, but where you go for the moulding is genuinely up to you — there are a few good UK options.
We sometimes run custom moulding events in-store too, where you can get impressions taken without having to book elsewhere — keep an eye on our social channels for dates, as these come and go depending on when we can get an audiologist in.
"I used to think not bothering with the tether was cool. I've lost a few sets of plugs to that attitude now, and custom moulds aren't cheap to replace. Clip the tether. Every time."
— Sam, Owner, Worthing Watersports
FAQs
What is surfer's ear?
Surfer's ear (exostosis) is abnormal bone growth inside the ear canal, caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind. It builds up over years and can eventually block the canal, trap water, and lead to infections and muffled hearing.
Do I only need to worry about this if I surf?
No — it's the cold water and wind combination that causes it, so windsurfers, kitesurfers, wingers, paddleboarders and kayakers are all at risk, especially in UK conditions where the water's cold most of the year.
Are universal earplugs good enough, or do I need custom ones?
A good universal plug like SurfEars is genuinely enough protection for most people. Custom-moulded plugs give you the best possible seal and comfort, which is worth it if you're on the water very regularly or already have some exostosis.
How does custom ear moulding work?
An audiologist takes an impression of your ears, which is then sent to a specialist moulding company (we use Snugs) to be scanned and produced to that exact shape. Where you get this done is entirely up to you — we also run occasional in-store moulding events, so follow our socials for dates.
Is surfer's ear reversible?
No — once the bone has grown, the only way to remove it is surgery. Prevention with earplugs is far simpler than treatment, which is why we'd rather sell you a pair of plugs now than have this conversation after the fact.
💡 Sam's Tip
Always wear the tether, on universal or custom plugs. I used to leave mine off because I thought it looked a bit much — I've since lost several sets that way, and custom moulds aren't a cheap thing to replace on a whim. SurfEars come with a removable leash built in already, so there's genuinely no excuse.
SurfEars — In Stock Now
Our pick for universal ear protection, with interchangeable sizing and a built-in leash.
Shop SurfEars — £54.95