Ear infections once kept kids and adults from swimming, especially after a surgeon inserted tubes into their ears. Myringotomy -- ear-tube insertion -- is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for children, according to Surgery.com. A swimmer once relied on earplugs to keep water from entering her ear canal, and she would often wear a swim cap to keep the plugs in place. Now, every swimmer prone to swimmer's ear, who has eardrum perforations or who simply does not like to get water into his ear can wear ear bands while swimming.
Tubes
Surgeons typically perform myringotomy, inserting tubes to reduce your symptoms caused by otitis externa, or swimmer's ear. Acute otitis externa costs Americans nearly a half-million dollars in health care costs, according to a May 2011 report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.
Infection
Bacterial infection is the most common cause of inflammation of the external auditory canal. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, redness and swelling of your outer ear canal. Preventing contaminated water from entering your ear canal by wearing an ear band will reduce your risk for developing acute otitis externa.
Protection
The CDC recommends you use accessories like earplugs, bathing caps and custom-fitted molds to prevent otitis externa, but you may have other reasons for considering ear bands while swimming. A perforated eardrum is a hole in the thin membrane that separates your ear canal from your middle ear. Trauma or infection may cause a perforated eardrum, and your doctor will recommend you keep your ear dry. You may also prefer wearing an ear band while swimming simply because you find the sensation of water in your ears annoying.
Purchase
Ear bands -- which are easy to find and inexpensive to purchase -- may be available through your doctor's or audiologist's office, your local drugstore, swim shops or retail outlets. You can purchase them for under $15. Manufacturers make ear bands from neoprene in various colors and sizes to match your swimwear.
Wearing Ear Bands
A new ear band may feel snug -- just pull on it a few times to stretch it out. You may wear ear bands with earplugs for maximum protection. Look for signs of irritation in and around your ear canal after swimming to ensure the ear band provides adequate protection. Do not share ear bands, especially if you have ear infections.
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