In our noisy, everyday world we use earplugs for a variety of reasons; to get better sleep by blocking out the gentle snores of your partner or blocking out distracting noise when studying. Earplugs can reduce background noise when travelling on planes or trains and block harmful levels of noise when riding a motorbike or at music concerts. Earplugs can also seal out water during swimming or other water sports and therefore can be highly effective at keeping painful ear infections at bay.

Both swimmers and surfers can suffer from painful ear infections as a result of getting water in their ears. Swimmer’s Ear, or to give its proper medical name Otitis Externa, is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal (the tube that connects the outer ear to the eardrum). This causes the ear to itch or become red and inflamed, meaning that head movement or touching the outer ear is very painful. It’s usually caused by contaminated water getting into the ear, specifically a germ called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, found in soil and water.

Swimmer’s Ear is most common in children and young adults who spend a lot of time in the water, especially those who like to dive and swim underwater. Though it usually develops as a result of swimming in polluted water, chlorinated water can also be a problem as it dries out the delicate skin of the ear canal, making it easier for bacteria and fungi to penetrate.

For most people the complex design of the ear protects them from this condition but prolonged exposure to water or excessive moisture - especially in warmer, humid climates - can trigger the condition. Once diagnosed, it’s easily treated with a course of antibiotics, but, when it has cleared up, further painful episodes can be prevented by using specialist swimmer’s earplugs.

Surfers who surf in cold waters, such as those around British shores, can also suffer from a condition known as Surfer’s Ear, though anyone indulging in a sporting activity in a cold, wet, windy environment such as kayaking, sailing and diving can suffer from this condition. Over time irritation from cold wind and water causes the bone surrounding the ear canal to develop lumps of new bony growth that constrict the ear canal. This narrowing can trap debris in the ear, causing repeated infections or (in extreme cases) deafness. The lumps of bone can be surgically removed, but once you’re back in the water the prolonged exposure to cold water and wind can trigger it again. This can result in the need for repeated operations on the same ear. Generally one ear will be much worse than the other, due to the prevailing wind direction or the side that most often strikes the wave first. Prevention is certainly better than cure, and the usual solution is to wear earplugs tailored to the ear that do not interfere too much with hearing and balance. Wearing a hood in the winter will also provide good protection. The condition is progressive so taking preventative measures early - preferably whenever surfing, kayaking, sailing or diving - is extremely important.

The simple procedure of popping in your earplugs before you hit the water will ensure that you continue to enjoy your sport for many years. Water protection earplugs create a seal that keeps water out and your ear canal dry, reducing the risk of infection and preventing both Swimmer’s and Surfer’s Ear and keeping you riding on that crest of a wave.