Hearing Awareness Social Profile | Will Oakeshott, Surfer
Surfing can be a thrilling and exhilarating sport, but one risk that many surfers may not consider is the potential for hearing loss due to the water, waves and wind.
Will Oakeshott is a surfer and musician with tinnitus (he says, ‘probably from my heavy metal music’), blocked ears as well as previously surfers AND swimmers' ears!
Will says, “everything has got better since I looked after my hearing and my call out is (to others), go get your hearing tested”
Can:Do Hearing encourages everyone this Hearing Awareness Week to benchmark their own hearing today, to better understand your hearing health levels. The focus for our 2023 campaign is “hearing is important”, encouraging people (who may not have considered previously) to take care of the hearing they already have as part of their regular wellbeing check ups (like they manage their teeth, hair or eyes).
You can book online for a hearing assessment: Book today
Surfer's ear is the common name for a condition caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind. It causes bony growth to develop within the ear and can lead to hearing loss. The medical name for surfer's ear is external auditory canal exostoses (EACE) or exostoses. Over time, this can eventually cause a partial or complete blockage of the ear canal. Detected and caught early, surfers' ear can be rectified by a medical procedure.
If you are a surfer who has hearing loss, or if you are concerned about your hearing while surfing, there are a few steps you can take to protect your ears.
Can:Do Hearing audiologists recommend using earplugs.
These devices can help to reduce the amount of cold water that reaches your ears, which can in turn help to prevent hearing loss. There are many different types of earplugs available on the market, so it is worth doing some research to find the best option for you. You can also chat to your Audiologist about their recommendation during your appointment.
Of course, being aware of the volume of the music you are listening to, taking care of your skin and hydration, and having your hearing checked regularly, will ensure that long term you can continue to enjoy the sport while also taking care of your health. Just like our overall health is important, our hearing health can be the difference between a lively, active day or a complicated one. It’s about finding the right solution to suit your lifestyle – and the options are limitless.
Discuss with us at your next appointment. Book today
This promotion is part of our Hearing Awareness Campaign. Read more here
