Water in the ear might not be lethal like water in the brain, but it can still be annoying. Swimming ear plugs help prevent water from seeping into your ear canal which can, in turn, help prevent ear infections. Swimming ear plugs are particularly useful for kids who swim a great deal, but they can also be helpful for adults.
What They Look Like
Swimming ear plugs can look like small posts or small pills or come molded in a shape that resemble your ear. The post type generally has one or more stoppers or grooves on the end to keep it in place and prevent it from inserting too far. The pill type sits directly in your ear's opening. The molded type includes a plug that sticks near the bottom of the unit, which is contoured to fit snugly against your outer ear.
Materials and Features
Silicone or another impermeable synthetic is the material of choice for swimmer's ear plugs. The post and contoured ear plugs use a hard silicone or other hardened material. Pill-type plugs can be either hard or soft, with the latter using silicone putty or another material that is squishy, soft and able to squeeze tightly into your ear opening. Ear plugs can come with a removable cord that keeps them secure around your neck and a protective carrying case. Contoured plugs can come in various sizes.
Considerations
Swimmer's ear plugs are not always just for swimming. Heavy-duty post ear plugs can also work on dry land to keep out environmental noise during the day, while the pill-type plugs can block noise to help you sleep. Although you can use certain swimming ear plugs on dry land, not all dry land ear plugs will work to keep water out of your ears while swimming. Rather than pre-made plugs, a silicone ear plug mixture is available for you to mix and mold a pair that specifically conform to your ear. The mixture dries into a hardened, reusable plug. If your ear plugs tend to fall out in the water, neoprene swimming headbands can help keep the ear plugs in place.
Cost
Swimming ear plugs can be reusable until you lose them or disposable when they become too dirty or worn or the putty plugs lose their elasticity. Prices in March 2011 ranged from less than $1 per pair, with a set of six pairs of putty plugs costing $4, to more than $10 for a pair of contoured silicone plugs. The silicone mix cost about $13.
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