Swimming ear plugs are ear plugs which are designed to keep water out of the ear, allowing people to swim or participate in other aquatic sports without getting water in their ears. Ear plugs are highly recommended for swimming, especially in the case of people who swim frequently, because swimmers are at risk of developing infections in their ears as a result of frequent irritation with water. Infections which arise as a result of swimming are known, fittingly, as “swimmer’s ear,” and they can be painful and annoying. Additionally, repeat infections can contribute to hearing loss, which is very undesirable.
A number of materials can be used for swimming ear plugs, including silicone, rubber, and foam. Some swimmers like to use wax ear plugs, but this is not recommended, because wax is very heat sensitive, and it can melt in the ear. All swimming ear plugs are designed to fit snugly into the ear canal, creating a seal so that water cannot get past the ear plug. When purchasing ear plugs for swimming, it is important to confirm that they are labeled specifically for swimming use.
Ear plugs are generally reusable, but some precautions should be observed when re-using ear plugs. Reusable ear plugs should never be shared with other people, and they should be swabbed with alcohol or another cleaning fluid after use. After two weeks of use, they should be discarded. Many swimming supply companies sell large containers of swimming ear plugs at affordable costs, so there is no reason to reuse old ear plugs.
Some caution should also be observed when inserting and removing ear plugs. Most ear plugs are inserted by rolling the ear plug in the fingers so that it flattens and narrows, and then carefully inserting it into the ear and holding it there for a moment while it puffs back up, filling the ear canal. When ear plugs are removed, they should not be yanked out of the ear, as this can cause hearing damage. Instead, one side should gently be pulled down to allow air to enter the ear, breaking the seal and allowing the ear plug to fall out.
If a swimmer’s ears are infected or irritated, it is a good idea to stay out of the water, even with ear plugs, because the water could exacerbate the infection. Wearing swimming ear plugs for every visit to the water will greatly reduce the risk of infection, especially if the ear plugs are cleaned and replaced regularly, which means that less swimming time will be lost as the result of ear infections.