Earplugs worked for me. I had surfer's ear and the bony growth from decades of surfing and diving. I started wearing earplugs and all of that has gone away. My bony growth receded and even my ear canal got bigger. It's the wind and cold that causes the problem. wind chills your ear even in warm water. I use these earplugs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CKC264K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. They stay in your ear even when surfing and you can still hear, although it is a little muffled. I wear them every time I surf.