5 Things To Know About Swimmers’ Earplugs

Hitting the Water? Don’t Forget These Little Gems for Ear Protection!

You’ve packed the swimsuits, floats, safety vests, caps, goggles, kids, and snacks for a summer afternoon at the lake or neighborhood pool, but what about the earplugs?

These small accessories can make a big difference in keeping the good times going during family fun in the water. Before you go, here are five things to know about swimmers’ earplugs:

1. They help protect against ear infection. Ears and moisture don’t always mix. Otitis externa, an outer-ear infection also known as “swimmer’s ear” is typically caused by bacterial or fungal growth when the skin in the ear canal potentially becomes irritated from activities such as swimming. Though treatable, the condition can lead to temporary hearing loss and other problems, so prevention matters. Using quality, properly inserted earplugs help keep the water—and the threat of infection—out of your ears.
2. They can be off the shelf or customized. It’s always nice to have options, and swimmers’ earplugs are no exception. They come in disposable, reusable, and custom-fit varieties and can be made from silicone or putty. At Comprehensive Audiology, Dr. Fogel can create a custom-fitting, washable set of swim plugs tailored to your unique ears. Take heed: Swimmers’ earplugs are not the same as hearing-protection earplugs and should be used only for water protection.
3. They’re not just for swimmers. Earplugs can be your best friend when it comes to protecting your ears in water, but did you know they’re not just for swimming? That’s right! If your ears have a chance of getting wet, protective earplugs are one of your best bets.
4. They’re available for surfers and lifeguards. Surfers need earplugs, too! Surfers’ earplugs are much like swimmers’ earplugs, but they have a built-in acoustic filter to keep water out while letting sound in. You can hear people talking and still enjoy the confidence of knowing your ears are protected from water. Plus, they provide an extra bit of safety. They’re ideal for surfers, water-skiers, and lifeguards.
5. They’re a solution for adults and children. You might think swimmers’ earplugs are just for grown-ups. Not so fast! Water in the ears can also pose a problem for kids, who are typically more vulnerable to ear infections than adults. Inserting earplugs before a swimming session or at bath time, keeping your child’s ear canals clean, and drying the ears after any amount of time in the water or other moist environments can help curb the risk of infection. And remember: Always use clean hands when inserting earplugs into your or your child’s ears.

Comprehensive Audiology, at 261 Broadway in Lynbrook, helps people of all ages live better by hearing their best. Appointments can be made by calling 516.387.4000 or by scheduling online at comprehensiveaudiology.com/make-appointment. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, YouTube, or Instagram @comprehensive_audiology.