Surfing with a perforated eardrum?

[Scarlet]

Just been to the Doctors with my son for a follow up appointment after another ear infection. The Doctor diagnosed a perforated ear drum(again)and he is now on the list to see an ENT specialist.
The qustion which I failed to ask was can he surf? We are off to the Gower tomorrow, boards already packed. I have said no to surfing but I have been googling and some forums say with Ear Putty it should be o.k to swim/others say no.
His life is piano, clarinet and surfing and I don't want him causing more damage now that could affect him later on.
Any info would be appreciated.

[shirlthegirl43]

Having suffered a ruptured eardrum I feel sorry for the lad!

If his balance is not affected then perhaps your best bet is to visit a good pharmacy and ask their opinion, there may be some form of ear bung that will enable him to surf

[Bigmallly]

I have perforated eardrums & you can buy plugs, they have a cotton wool coating and are fairly comfortable to wear. There is a section here on the subject.

All About Ear Plugs - Ear Help (UK)

[Scarlet]

Thanks Shirl, will try in the morning. He's not a happy bunny!
He says he feels fine and has no pain - has been playing clarinet non stop all week!

[Scarlet]

I have perforated eardrums & you can buy plugs, they have a cotton wool coating and are fairly comfortable to wear. There is a section here on the subject.

All About Ear Plugs - Ear Help (UK)

I'm obviously more in the dark than I thought! Will get myself a glass of wine and have a read.
Don't they heal up?

[shirlthegirl43]

My ruptured eardrum healed but I don't know about perforated ones

[Bramble_killer]

Try ringing NHS Direct and asking for some advice?

[Rhona]

Aw poor thing. Rotten timing. I always wear silicone plugs when surfing, and they're pretty good. I'm tempted to say no, though, until he's better - can lead to a nasty infection - but is he likely to submerge often? If he's pretty good, and there's clean conditions etc. he will fare better I suppose.

How old is he? I wouldn't want to take a risk if he's very young. Can you compromise and see what the conditions are like? If it's stoked (you can see I'm just pretending to be a young surf dude here), then take a view; if it's a bit rubbish, then see if he'll try a longboard

With a silicone plug, and maybe another outer seal, he'll probably be ok, but I'd be pretty strict about checking/replacing the outer bit frequently.

Have a great trip anyway.

p.s. Could he wear a hood - might help a bit?

[Scarlet]

He's only 11! In the water more often than not and the last time he went (3 weeks ago) we were straight to the docs! He's really upset because I've said no.
He's just learn't to turn on a wave so revved up to go tomorrow! Long board??? You've got to be kiddin'! He would laugh in my face.
I will do the whole hog and involve him in the morning - NHS Direct and then the Pharmacist. I suppose there is always the cinema........

[taff]

probably not a good idea to have sea water in your perforated eardrums no, although, it is salt water, which is supposed ot be good for all ills...waterproof earplugs?

[swansea girl]

I frequently had burst ear drums when I was young which meant that I was 10 before I ever set foot in a swimming pool,I would imagine that the docs had a pretty good reason for not letting me go swimming...I dont think I'd let him risk it to be honest.
...and another bit of advice (reguarding ear plugs) from the docs was...the only thing you should put in your ear is your elbow! (he also mentioned my hearing aid...but I dont listen to that bit )

[Bigmallly]

On the topic of perforated eardrums but at a tangent, be careful if you take him on a flight. Until I learned to control my problem (by popping my ears), I was in absolute agony (and tears) especially when coming in to land.

[Patchninja]

My son in lw can't get his ears wet and he has a special band that ensures that the ear plugs stay in place and no water can get in. Ask about that.

Why didn't the Doc tell you whether he could surf or not?

[miffy]

I have had a perforated ear drum twice, basically the membrane to your ear has ruptured, if you get any water, sand etc in there you WILL get an infection so no do not go in the sea it is not worth it.

[Scarlet]

On the topic of perforated eardrums but at a tangent, be careful if you take him on a flight. Until I learned to control my problem (by popping my ears), I was in absolute agony (and tears) especially when coming in to land.

Thanks everyone! I managed to get hold of a doctor before we left on saturday morning. The advice was as long as a good set of ear plugs was used surfing was fine although diving was to be avoided, but flying could be very painful! So thankful we are going on a ferry this year.