Silicone ear plugs - would they protect?

[H20orSnowLetsGo]

Whenever I get water in my ears it drives me crazy (had those ear tubes when I was a little kid, so I think water gets "stuck" in them easier). I haven't worn any ear protection .... yet... but now I'm to the point I'm ready to work on attempting tantrums and backrolls, etc. where the probablity of ear drum rupture could be higher.

Because of the water in the ear issue that drives me crazy, I've thought of trying those silicone plugs for that.

So..... my question is.... the silicone ear plugs (a moldable wax like material sorta) --- does anyone know if they might protect from eardrum rupture?

[Justin 25]

I have no idea with the ear plugs, but have you considered just wearing a helmet with ear protectors?

[H20orSnowLetsGo]

Justin 25, yes... just that a helmet w/ear protectors won't necessarily keep the water out of the ears though.

On the topic of helmets, can anyone recommend one that will fit my 52 cm head?? I like look of the protec acewake ones, but at 53 cm for the smallest, I tend to get too much wobbling (my snowboard helmet is a child sized one)

[Justin 25]

http://www.boardstop.com/product_info.php?cPath=67_68&products_id=444

The lowest it runs is 53 cm, but you can tighten it up a bit. And the ear protectors do basically clamp around your ears, so while they don't keep all of the water out, they certiantly help.

[Nils_Lars]

Actually the Wake version has a thing that goes under the back of your head and helps hold it in place better then a regular helmet.

[nickl011]

It is a really good idea to start using some ear protection. A couple of years ago my brother, who had ear tubes when he was young, fell over sideways while slaloming, and blew out his eardrum.

[Fling]

I have blow out my eardrums a lot and I found a really good solution without having to get a helmet or anything like that. It is also a fairly affordable option.

www.proplugs.com

Go there and email them asking where you can get some near you. Go to wherever they are sold and they will probably have a sizing set so you can figure out what size you need. You can buy them from that place, but chances are it will be a pharmacy and they will be jacked up. Once you find the right size, just buy a bunch online. Make sure you get the vented ones.

Ive ruptured my eardrums 4 times over the past year and once i started using the plugs, i havent had any problems since. Make sure you keep several sets on you. I havent lost any yet after a month of use, but they do pop out of your ears after a hard hit. They dont totally keep out water, but they definitely stop the ruptures.

[k9fxr]

I am also a proplug user, after 4 yrs of helmet use and multiple blown drums
I had them fitted better after the first set and they havent fallen out.
They are vented so you can hear pretty good.
I stopped doing 3's and am working on inverts so the helmet is on the shelf, I dont miss it

[inter]

how bout some ordinary ear plugs

[Chad Chinners]

Try some Pro Plugs. Silicone Ear Plugs will keep water out pretty well but you can't hear anything. It just felt wierd for me.

You should really wear earplugs of some sort. Haven't been boarding since September because of a blown eardrum.

[scott a]

I also vote for Pro Plugs. My brother wears them after 3 or 4 blown ear drums (some while wearing a helmet) and thumbs up from him.

[biglouie]

look up "Audiologist" in your yellow pages and go see one. They should be able to get you set up with a nice pair of custom fit, floating plugs for $75 or less. Fit is perfect. They fit very snug. If they did come out, they float so get them in a neon color.