Wrestling is a sport practiced between two opponents. It involves forcing the competitor to touch down with any if not all body parts. It's rough sometimes because there is no specific fighting style. There are blows, joint blocks, takedowns, and many others.

headgear or ear guards

Wrestling ear protection is also known as headgear or ear guards. It only protects your ears from damage due to continuous beating and banging. Where the gear is not used, the wrestler develops a condition called cauliflower ears.

Ears have soft tissues, and when hardly hit, blood clots forming lumps. If these lumps are not attended to when fresh, they form lumps. They look like cauliflower vegetables, hence the name. When new, treating this condition is by drawing the clotting blood using a needle and syringe. When it has overstayed, it’s fixed by minor surgery.

Not all wrestlers wear ear guards. Those who wear might be well versed on the dangers of wrestling without. Or they have an underlying condition.

cauliflower ear and also permanent ear damage

Hence an opponent or referee cannot order a player to remove ear guards if the partner does not have. Continued ears banging can cause not only cauliflower but also permanent ear damage.

The headgear as known has three straps. For head back, another for across the head towards the ears and the other beneath the chin. These straps help the ear guard to fit tight but comfortable.

There is no need to wear an ear guard if it will be sagging. It will only make you uncomfortable, and you will under-perform. Before the match, ensure that you tighten your ear protection. Balance the straps one after the other to avoid pulling on one side and leaving the other hanging loose.

Ear guards are of durable and rigid plastic material. They are then lined with foam around the ear, to give you that comfortable feeling. The foam material also absorbs sweat, keeping your ears dry.

What to Consider when Buying Ear Protection for Wrestling

When buying wrestling equipment, don't leave out head-gears. They come handy in protecting your ears from unnecessary damage. But before you buy, here are a few things you should put into consideration.

Comfort

Ears are sensitive to touch. Any device that comes into contact with the ears might feel uncomfortable if not well fitted. Headgears are comfortable if well-fitting. When shopping, try out as many as you can until you get your best fi

Size

Wrestling head gears vary in size. There those for adult and youth. Try buying the right size for the right head. But, you might find youth fitting best on adult ear guards with tightened straps. If your wrestler is an adult, buy adult stuff. If the size is small, it will pain your ears, and if it's too big, it will be as good as having none.

Safety

Safety comes first. Well-fitting headgear, will guarantee your safety. According to design, these ear guards protect you from cauliflower ears. When buying, ensure they have safety characteristics.

Some headgears have double straps for better holding while others have a single but wide one. Though they serve the same purpose, safety preference differs.

Price

Wrestling head gears though not expensive, prices differ with quality. When shopping for these ear guards, consider quality before price. That doesn’t mean that there no cool ones which are cheap. Taste and preferences also differ.

When buying headgears for your child, it's wise to focus on safety then price. As you cannot bargain on their safety

Durability

You don't need to buy headgears every time there is a match. Ear protection made of hard plastic is durable than soft plastic. Consider investing in good quality from the beginning to avoid buying every time.

The straps should also be strong enough due to often tightening and loosening. Headgear without strong straps is a waste. It can embarrass you when the match is ongoing.

Fitting

A headgear without fitting allowance is as good as none. On the same note if it does not fit you, leave it out. It will only cause more harm than good. The headgear is only useful if it fits your ears well. And if the straps are un-adjustable, it's even worse. Regardless of the safety features it might be having.

It’s also good to check the material that is around the ear area. Ensure that you are comfortable with it.

Style

Sense of style, especially among the youth is vital. When buying headgear for your child, consider the trending styles in the market. If you compare today's types with the previous ones, they are more advanced and appealing to the users.

Wrestlers using current styles feel modern and motivated. Next time you pop in that sports shop, consider the contemporary style before buying.

Benefits of Ear Protection for Wrestling

There are several benefits the wrestlers can get from using ear protection devices. They include;

• Prevent wrestlers from getting cauliflower ears.
• Gives confidence to the wrestler
• Besides ear damage protection, they also absorb sweat on the ear.

Wrestling as we have said is a popular sport in many countries. And where it is not practiced, the fans follow the available TV shows that bring it live. A lot of caution comes in when playing this sport. But the major one is protecting yourself from getting cauliflower ears.

It’s a painful experience, though preventable by wearing the right headgear. To your surprise, it’s not a mandatory need when joining this type of sport. It then remains to be a personal responsibility.

Wrestling is a rough game that can break your joint if not your jaw. It's worth noting that the sport is weight classified. Same weight players have the same level /class. They can thus play only against each other until they add weight to join the next class

The best headgear is the one with three straps, to ensure your ears are well covered. Using the above guidelines, you can now buy a headgear that best fits you.

Type of headgear

Athletes are constantly being reminded of the benefits of wearing safety gear when they participate in certain sports.

Wrestling is a very physical sport, and athletes are not immune to the effects that an injury can have on their game. Ear protection for wrestling can help protect wrestlers from cauliflower ear, or ruptured ear drums.

This article will explore the various benefits of wearing protective gear when you wrestle, ranging from preventing cauliflower ear to keeping your hearing intact.

Ear Protection for Wrestling: Protect Your Health

Wrestling is one of the most physically gruelling sports you can participate in. While it may not be as violent as football, there is no question that wrestling requires physical endurance and the ability to withstand a beating.

Wrestlers need to push themselves beyond their limits to achieve victories on the mat. Although it may require you to sacrifice comfort, wearing protective gear while wrestling can help improve your health by guarding against cauliflower ear and other common injuries.

The Consequences of Cauliflower Ear

Cauliflower ear is an injury that occurs when the skin around your ear becomes inflamed from a blow received during a wrestling match. While it may be painful, the biggest risks involved with cauliflower ear are cosmetic in nature. If you have 'cauliflower ear', or if you develop it over time, you will likely be embarrassed to show your face in public.

Protecting Your Ears

The impact of a series of blows to the head can cause both cauliflower ear and ruptured eardrum. Both of these injuries are quite common in wrestling. If you are serious about protecting your ears by wearing ear protection, it is important to know the different types of ear protection.

Earplugs

Ear plugs are the most common type of ear protection for wrestling. Ear plugs are simply small foam or plastic inserts that go under the ear. Earplugs are inexpensive, but they do not stay in place very well. You may end up with a deposit of earwax stuck to your ear plugs, leading to a messy situation.

In addition, because ear plugs cannot be heard over the noise of the crowd or other wrestlers, your opponent will know whether or not you have plugged your ears prior to entering the mat.

Headband Eyemasks

Headbands with eyemasks attached fit over both ears and fit securely around the head. These eyemasks significantly reduce the chances of cauliflower ear, but can also be uncomfortable to wear. The eye masks can interfere with your vision, especially if there are two or more wrestlers in the arena. In addition, you cannot hear well while wearing an eyemasket because of all of the padding involved.

Conclusion

While wrestling is a sport that requires you to take risks, there are many ways to protect yourself. Ear protection for wrestling is a simple way for wrestlers to prevent cauliflower ear and ruptured eardrums associated with the sport. If you or a wrestler you know suffers from cauliflower ear, it is important that they wear protective gear whenever they compete.

However, it is equally important for wrestlers to be careful with their ears. If you or a wrestler you know suffers from cauliflower ear, wearing protective gear may save them from further injury.

Please Note: Just because an ear defender is marked, for example, "Gunshot" - it will still cover other things, like "explosions"