Has anyone went water skiing or tubing on a boat with single sided deafness?

[cinnamon]

My husband and I bought a brand new boat recently and I am concerned about water skiing and tubing. Can anyone relate or share their experience? I know that when we test drove the boat my balance was really bad when he turned the boat around extremely fast and threw me out of my seat. Of course ideally this wouldn't happen unless we were avoiding a collision. Thanks.

[petittrv]

We rented a boat at a lake in Arkansas during a family get together and I went tubing with my kids, nieces, and nephews.  I took a turn (at that time I was nine months post-op) and had no real issues other than after I took a spill I had a real difficult timed getting back up on the tube.  When I would try and climb back up from the water and it raised I had a hard time overcoming the mixed balance signals and it took me forever (probably 5 minutes) tio figure out how to get back on.  No big deal and the kids thought it was funny.  The actual tubing was not an issue.

Having said that and knowing my remaining balance issues, I think it may get tricky on rough water moving around the boat.  Just have to take it slow and as we say in the Army when we are climbing on large vehicles - maintain three points of balance (two hands and a foot, two feet and a hand, etc).  It slows you down but prevents falls.

Rick

[cinnamon]

I think I will stay on the right side of the tube if riding two. But I wonder about the skiing. It makes me wonder about balancing that. I have been doing alright on the boat, of course the waters haven't been bad. Thanks for help on the tube. I am also thinking I am going to wear goggles to prevent water getting in my face, did you have any issues with that?

Lisa

[petittrv]

Lisa

I am (was) such a horrible water skiier I'm actually thinking I could only do better if I tried it again.  But that's a river (or lake) I have yet to cross.  I did not wear goggles but that is probably a good idea.  I got away with it but thinking back was probably just lucky.  I've never been the smartest about precautions but I will probably wear them next time out.

Enjoy yourself!

Rick

[Raven]

 Back in the day when all we did was ski and tube, I did many a face plant trying to be to cute and got my bell rung. We have a little ski boat and spend a week at the lake every summer, last summer all I did was drive the boat, no sking, no tubing, no diving................nothing. We are going to the lake in two weeks, I don't plan on doing any sking or tubing. Since the surgies it seems both sides of my head are tender, anytime I bump it, it really hurts and usually results in a headache...........so no face plants for me.

Two years ago when we got back from the lake, I woke up the next morning and had lost all my hearing in my left ear. I blamed it on swimming in the lake, driving home for three hours with the wind blowing in my ear...................yea, that's how I got two ANs.

John

[cinnamon]

You know it is interesting that you feel that way. See, when I was younger like 18 I had an abusive boyfriend that slammed my head into the upper seatbelt piece in my car and actually broke the plastic off with the left side of my head and I think he caused my an. Then also I used to go to tanning beds and I am terrified of them now. I think we all try to find the cause. Don't worry I will be very careful while tubing and I know if I shouldn't be doing it because I am 35 and don't want to kill myself. I was really just curious before I tried. My head isn't sensitive but I have never until this day stood on my head because I don't want the blood rushing to my head. Thanks for your concern. I will have to post a reply after my first outing. Water skiing may be awhile since we have to buy this gear. Have a great weekend.


Lisa

[stoneaxe]

Get out and live...my advice anyway. Exercise...especially something that challenges your balance, is the best way to get back to normal. If you choose to just sit thats all you'll be able to do. I'm 51 and took up standup paddlesurfing as therapy two years ago. Best thing I've ever done.

[epodjn]

I'm with Bob. The more you do the more you can do. If you sit, that will be all you can do before long. I have noticed that if i sit too much my balance really gets bad. We went on a road trip a few weeks ago and i spent hours sitting in the car, hotel, restaurants, theater. By the end of the trip I was a mess. My new goal is to exercise everyday, especially something that makes me work on balancing. I think water skiiing sounds like a blast!
Julie

[cinnamon]

Trust me I am not about to let everyone else have a good time while I sit and watch. I do however want to be cautious and get others opinions. I certainly don't want to do anything to harm myself. Thanks for the motivation!

Lisa