In amateur wrestling, headgear is the only required piece of safety equipment. Headgear comes in different materials -- from thick cloth to plastic -- and primarily consists of two large guards for the ears with straps to hold it in place. In addition, the headgear includes a chin strap at the bottom of the headgear to keep it on the wrestler's head.
The Use of Headgear
The purpose of the headgear is simple -- to protect the wrestler's ears from trauma that could result in "cauliflower ear" or hearing loss. In the sport of wrestling in particular, trauma to the ear is a common issue. That trauma, before headgear was required, has resulted in disfigurement of the ears of many wrestlers. And while the headgear does not entirely prevent this disfigurement, it greatly reduces the possibility of cauliflower ear.
Cauliflower Ear
Cauliflower ear is a condition in which the cartilage of the ear has thickened. This happens when blood capsules or capillaries in the ear have burst. If the fluid is not properly drained, it separates the thin skin of the ear from the cartilage. This causes the ear to deform, shrivel up and thicken, resulting in cauliflower ear. If not treated quickly, the condition is usually permanent, though cosmetic surgery may fix the issue.
Required Equipment
Because of the potential for disfiguring your ear as well as the potential for hearing loss due to trauma to the ear, headgear is required at almost all levels of sanctioned amateur wrestling, from youth wrestling to collegiate wrestling, in the United States. In fact, in many of these levels, if the headgear comes off during a match, the match is stopped to allow the wrestler to adjust his headgear. The only level in which headgear is not required is at the Olympics.
Styles of Headgear
Because of the increased importance of headgear, many manufacturers produce different types of headgear that meet safety standards. These styles enable wrestlers to find headgear that fits comfortably and provides adequate protection. Headgear options provide different levels of comfort as well as different colors and designs.
References
- KidsHealth.org: What's Cauliflower Ear?
- Bob Glasgow, Wrestling Coach, Oak Grove, MO
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