Swimming requires strength, endurance and stamina -- but ear plugs are optional. Ear plugs can protect your ears while swimming and can be especially useful for children who spend a lot of time in the water. They do, however, have a few drawbacks, although poking out your ear drums is not one of them. Your ear drums are more than 1-inch deep inside your ear canals, which have an irregular shape that prevents anything from entering straight into your ears.
Benefits
Ear plugs stop water and bacteria from getting into your ears while swimming. Water in your ear can be annoying, and it can also lead to infection, particularly in kids. Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, occurs when water sits in and irritates the ear canal. The irritation can develop into an infection, which is often painful and requires antibiotic treatment.
Drawbacks
Ear plugs have a few drawbacks, such as their ability to block out noise. While this might be a soothing thing for swimming along in your favorite pond, it can end up a detriment if you can't hear warning noises from lifeguards or fellow swimmers or if you are swimming competitively and rely on your hearing. Practice with ear plugs before a meet if you intend to use them in competition. Dirty ear plugs are another detriment. Certain types of ear plugs are disposable -- and with good reason, as they can trap dirt. If you reuse them, regular cleaning with soap and water is a must.
Choices
Your ear plug choices range from soft, pillow-like ear inserts to hard, molded inserts that resemble small pegs. Most swimming ear plugs are silicone, either of the soft or hard variety. Silicone is a substance that stands up to and seals out water. The pillow-like inserts sit at the ear canal opening and mold to fit your ear's contours. The harder plugs insert partway into your ear canal, with small ribs around the top of the plug that keep them in place. Hardened, peg-type plugs can include a larger shell or stopper that fits snugly in your outer ear for enhanced protection.
Considerations
Although swimming ear plugs can come in smaller sizes for children, most of the adult plugs are one size. A particular type of plug might not be the best fit for your ear. A more accurate fitting option is a silicone mix that hardens after you press it into your ear, creating the snuggest fit. The mix is the most expensive option, costing $12 as of March 2011, compared to the $2 or $3 you can pay for a pair of other plugs. Other features can increase the ear plug's price, such as an attached neckband and protective carrying case. Brightly colored plugs that float are the least likely to get lost if they come loose, which can be especially helpful for kids.
References
- KidsHealth; Can I Prevent Ear Infections When My Child Swims?; March 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Children's Swimming: Keep Health Risks at Bay; Jay Hoecker, M.D.; June 2, 2010
- SwimOutlet.com: Ear Plugs
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention: Frequently Asked Questions; June 30, 2009
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