by Jon Holmes
Rodeo Kings and Boof Monsters: Perforated Eardrum. The eardrum separates your middle
ear from your ear canal and plays an instrumental role in converting sound waves into a pulse which travels to your brain. The delicate membrane is fragile and easily torn or perforated. A perforat- ed eardrum is caused by a variety of rea- sons but the most applicable to paddle- sports are a blow to the ear or trauma to the ear caused by a sudden change in pressure.
Playboating pre-disposes paddlers to sudden blows to the ear while surfing fast waves and holes. The typical unexpect- ed pounding lacks the necessary control to keep your ears from making abrupt impromptu encounters with the stamped- ing green rushing towards the brain like frenzied sperm on an egg mission. The slightly off line creek boater who experiences the joy of a twenty foot drop attempting to enter the ear canal without permission has surely suffered a blow to the ear. Squirt boaters are at risk of middle ear squeeze as the change in air pressure within the ear is greatest near the surface of the water. Going a little deeper than planned or not maintaining equilibrium in the ear canal during down-time could cause a rupture. Ear plugs should not be worn at depths greater than ten feet. Squirt boaters should make sure to equalize the pressure in their ear canal by plugging their nose and blowing out. A perforated eardrum causes ear- aches, sudden hearing loss, and possi- bly bleeding or discharge. Visit your doc- tor when your head bleeds. The healing process will keep you off the water for at least two weeks. Continued exposure to water slows healing while increasing sus- ceptibility to infections.
E
ar plugs can save you from the pain and time required off the water associ- ated with both ear infections and a perfo- rated ear drum. More importantly the reg- ular use of ear plugs can prevent long term hearing loss as a result of Exostosis. So if your Grandma gives you a hard time tell her to stick it in her ear.
RetroGlideTM
ProJoustTM
Tricky InfernoTM
TrickyTM
Team Paddler Billy Harris
To find out more or locate a dealer near you visit us at
www.extrasport.com
fall2002 25
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