How to Protect Your Ears in Cold Water

(And Prevent Surfer’s Ear)

If you spend time in the ocean — surfing, swimming, diving or paddling — you have probably experienced it.

Water stuck in your ear.
Pressure that won’t go away.
Or irritation after a long session in cold water.

Most water athletes do not think about ear health until problems appear. But repeated exposure to cold water can affect the ears in ways that develop slowly over time.

Understanding how cold water affects the ear — and how to protect it — can help you stay comfortable in the water for many years.

Key Takeaways

Surfer’s ear is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind
The condition develops slowly through bone growth in the ear canal
Symptoms often include water trapping, ear infections and reduced hearing
Prevention is easier than treatment
Many surfers protect their ears using vented ear protection designed for water sports

What Is Surfer’s Ear?

Surfer’s ear is a condition where repeated exposure to cold water and wind causes bone growth inside the ear canal.

The medical term for this condition is exostosis of the ear canal.

Over time, small bony growths develop inside the ear canal. These growths slowly narrow the canal and make it easier for water to become trapped.

Surfer’s ear usually develops over many years of cold water exposure.

The condition is common among:

surfers
open water swimmers
divers
kayakers
other water athletes

The condition is permanent once it develops, but it is largely preventable by protecting the ears from cold water and wind.

Because the condition develops gradually, many people do not notice symptoms until it has progressed.

In many cases symptoms do not appear until the ear canal has already narrowed significantly, and the condition may be close to the stage where surgery becomes necessary.

This is one reason why prevention and regular ear checks are important for people who spend a lot of time in the water.

Why Cold Water Affects the Ears

The ear canal is sensitive to repeated cold exposure.

When cold water repeatedly enters the ear canal — especially when combined with wind — the body may respond by slowly growing new bone around the ear canal.

Surfer’s ear is most commonly associated with water temperatures around 18°C (64°F) or colder, where repeated cold exposure is more likely to trigger bone growth.

This is actually a protective response.

The body is trying to protect the eardrum from cold exposure by thickening the surrounding bone.

Over time this bone growth can narrow the ear canal. When this happens:

water becomes trapped more easily
the ear drains more slowly
irritation and infections become more common

This process is what eventually leads to surfer’s ear.

Common Symptoms of Surfer’s Ear

In the early stages surfer’s ear often has no noticeable symptoms.

As the ear canal becomes narrower, however, problems can begin to appear.

Common symptoms include:

water frequently getting trapped in the ear
reduced hearing after time in the water
repeated ear infections
a persistent feeling of blockage in the ear

In more advanced cases surgery may be required to remove the bone growth.

Because of this, prevention is usually the best approach. Learn more about Surfer’s Ear here.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Anyone who regularly exposes their ears to cold water and wind can develop surfer’s ear.

People at higher risk include:

surfers
open water swimmers
freedivers and scuba divers
kayakers and paddleboarders
sailors and windsurfers

The risk increases with frequency of exposure.

Someone who spends several hours in cold water every week has a significantly higher risk than someone who swims occasionally.

Cold coastal environments also increase the risk.

While surfer’s ear is most commonly linked to cold water environments, warmer water can introduce other risks.

Warm water may contain higher levels of bacteria, algae and pollution. When the ear canal becomes narrowed due to surfer’s ear, trapped water in these conditions can significantly increase the risk of infections.

The combination of a narrowed ear canal and contaminated water can lead to recurring and sometimes severe ear problems.

How Surfers Protect Their Ears

Experienced surfers and water athletes often develop simple habits to protect their ears.

Reduce cold exposure

In colder environments surfers often wear wetsuits with hoods to reduce wind and cold water exposure around the ears.

Dry the ears after sessions

Some athletes use ear dryers or alcohol-based drops to help remove trapped moisture after long sessions in the water.

Use vented ear protection

Many surfers use ear protection designed specifically for water sports.

These products help:

reduce water entering the ear canal
allow natural pressure equalization
allow users to hear their surroundings

The goal is not to completely seal the ear, but to reduce the constant flushing of cold water inside the ear canal.

Do Earplugs Work for Surfing and Other Water Sports?

Yes — but only certain types.

Standard foam earplugs completely seal the ear canal and are not designed for water sports. They can interfere with pressure equalization and may feel uncomfortable during active movement.

Ear protection designed specifically for water sports works differently.

These products are typically designed to:

reduce water flow into the ear canal
allow natural pressure equalization
allow sound to pass through

This allows surfers, open water swimmers, divers, kayakers, and other water athletes to protect their ears while still hearing waves, other people in the water, and their surroundings.

How SurfEars Help Protect the Ear

SurfEars were designed specifically for people who spend time in the water.

Instead of sealing the ear completely, SurfEars use a vented design that allows air and sound to pass through while reducing the amount of water entering the ear canal.

This helps:

maintain natural pressure equalization
reduce repeated cold water exposure
preserve hearing and awareness in the water

The goal is to help water athletes stay comfortable and protect their ears during repeated exposure to cold water.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you spend a lot of time in the water, it is important to pay attention to changes in your ears.

You should consider seeing a medical professional if you experience:

frequent ear infections
persistent ear pain after water exposure
hearing changes
repeated water trapping in the ear
a constant feeling of blockage

An ear specialist can examine the ear canal and identify early signs of surfer’s ear. Regular ear checks can help detect early signs of bone growth before symptoms appear.

For people who spend a lot of time in cold water, occasional ear examinations can be an effective way to monitor ear health and prevent long-term complications.

Early detection can help prevent the condition from progressing.