ear problems and wakeboarding

ive been wakeboardering for about 5 years now, and have never had a problem.For some reason this year i have busted my eardrum 2 times wakeboarding, is this a common problem or its it just me? its really starting to bother me cause no sonner my ear is heald i go and bust it again,when i hit the water? do many people wear ear plugs when they wakeboard? what shoul i do i dont want to give up on trying to get better,but my hearing is also very important and i dont want to lose it and suggestions?

Brandon,
I was doing the same thing. I may be wrong but once you bust an eardrum it seems to be a lot easier to do. I actually just started wearing a helmet this season w/ earflaps. It took some getting used to but its been great!

Pop'd an eardrum last summer and never want to go thru that again. I tried the helmet idea with the earflaps, but just could't get use to it. I wear ear plugs now everytime I ride.

i'm wondering if your eardrum was not healed all the way the first time, which made it more susceptible to a subsequent injury. (i've never had this injury, so it's just a thought.)

pro plugs are the way to go. i busted my eardrum earlier this season and haven't had a problem since i started wearing them. i have taken some good falls and haven't lost one or had any other ear injuries

thanks guys,yeah ive tried the ear plug and they just kept falling out maybe ill try those pro plugs next time the doctor told me that im pretty much done for the summer though,which sucks but i guess its better to have hearing then to board.thanks again for the suggestions