SurfEars

The SurfEars story begins in southern Sweden, where Christian Dittrich, a dedicated cold-water surfer for over 25 years, faced a significant challenge during a surf trip to Morocco in 2011. A severe ear infection left him deaf in one ear for nearly a week, revealing an ongoing battle. Christian discovered that he was dealing with a severe case of Surfer’s ear in both canals. Confronted with the choice of inadequate earplugs, a risky surgery with only temporary relief, or giving up surfing altogether, Christian was determined to find a better solution.

The Challenge with Existing Earplugs

Experimenting with various earplugs on the market led to the conclusion, that wearing them clearly diminished the surfing experience. The inability to hear the environment isolated surfers, hindering communication with fellow wave riders and affecting balance, a critical element for any surfer. Additionally, ill-fitting earplugs often resulted in discomfort and water leakage.

The Formation of SurfEars

With a background in mechanical engineering and experience in designing mobile phones and acoustic materials, Christian, along with a small team of surfing and engineering friends, initiated their mission in southern Sweden. SurfEars was conceived in this early stage, laying the foundation for what would become a revolutionary product for the global surfing community.

Innovation and Design

The earplug project became an all-consuming passion, driving the team to explore countless ideas, concepts, and prototypes. With a 3D printer, an invaluable tool for ideation and testing, they tirelessly crafted new design concepts. The quest for the perfect earplug reached its zenith with the birth of the final design.