Protecting Your Ears In The Game

06th, Dec 2023

In the dynamic world of sports, ensuring overall well-being is key, and that includes often-overlooked aspects like ear health. Let's dive into the common ear issues athletes might face and how to keep those ears in top-notch condition for peak performance.

Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa): A Splash of Caution

Description: An infection of the ear canal. Sweat, moisture, or contaminated water entering the ear canal can create a moist environment perfect for bacteria or fungi to grow.

Game Plan: This condition is more common in swimmers and those involved in water sports. Stay vigilant for signs of infection including pain and discharge from the ear. If you’re prone to infections use ear plugs to keep the ear dry.

Barotrauma: Elevate Your Awareness

Description: Pressure-related ear pain or damage. Changes in pressure during activities like scuba diving, skydiving, or flying can cause ear pain or damage to the eardrum. Symptoms are more likely if you engage in these activities while you have a viral upper respiratory tract infection and are congested. This can prevent the normal mechanism that allows equalisation of pressure in the middle ear from working and pressure will rise.

Strategic Move: Equalize pressure regularly using the Valsalva manoeuvre and avoid high-pressure activities when virally congested.

Exostosis (Surfer's Ear): Surf Smart, Protect Your Ears

Description: This is an abnormal bony growth in the ear canal, often seen in individuals exposed to cold water for extended periods, such as surfers or kayakers. Exostosis may cause no problems if mild but can cause ear wax to build up and block the canal leading to reduced hearing and increased risks of infection.

Winning Move: Exostosis can be prevented by wearing ear plugs to prevent cold water from getting into the ear canal.

Traumatic Injuries: Gear Up for Defence

Description: Impact-related injuries, including the infamous Cauliflower Ear, which is caused by repeated blunt force or friction, in contact sports like wrestling, hurling, rugby or boxing. In Cauliflower Ear (perichondrial haematoma) blood collects between the cartilage of the ear and its covering (the perichondrium). If not promptly treated, by removing the collection of blood, the blood clots and disrupts the normal contours of the ear.

Power Play: Wear a head guard, tape up your ears or wear a helmet to help prevent this problem. If a haematoma of the ear develops get seen urgently to have the blood removed.

Hearing Loss: A Silent Opponent

Description: Noise-induced hearing loss from loud sports environments like shooting or motor racing.

Game-Changer: Equip yourself with ear protection - your hearing's MVP. Noise induced hearing loss may not be reversible.

Tinnitus: Silencing the Noise

Description: Tinnitus is a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears. It can be exacerbated by exposure to loud noises during sports but is more often caused by a build of wax or infection in the ear.

Strategic Play: Seek professional assessment by a GP to identify reversible causes.

Foreign Objects: Keep the Game Clean

Description: Small objects, insects, or debris can sometimes enter the ear during sports. Most often small objects are trapped by the wax in the ear and migrate out themselves.

Smart Move: If you have any concerns that there may be a foreign body trapped in your ear, have it examined by a GP and the object can usually be easily removed.

Earwax Impaction: Clearing the Path to Victory

Description: Activities that involve frequent water exposure, like swimming, can contribute to earwax build-up. Ear plugs/buds used during sport to protect the ears or in the pre-match build up can sometimes prevent wax from falling out like it normally would.

Winning Play: Wax will usually fall out by itself but if you have a sensation of “water in your ear” or a reduction in hearing get your ear assessed by a GP. If the wax is very impacted it may be necessary to remove it using micro-suction.

Game-Changing Strategies for All Athletes:

It's essential for individuals participating in sports to take preventive measures, such as wearing protective gear to maintain ear health.

If you have any concerns about the conditions mentioned above, make an appointment at Kingsbridge GP Clinic to have your ears assessed. At the Mid Ulster clinic, we can remove any foreign bodies or impacted wax with Microsuction on site if required. Visit kingsbridgegpclinic.com for further information.