Swimming earplugs are specially designed to prevent water intrusion in the ear canal which can often lead to infection while swimming by the sea or in the pool. Swimming earplugs are specially designed to keep water out of the ear canal, helping to prevent infections caused by moisture build-up during swimming. Exposure to water—especially in pools or the sea—can lead to swimmer’s ear (otitis externa), a painful outer ear infection that, if left untreated, may result in temporary hearing loss.
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Swimming earplugs are used to swim, bathe or shower and they can be standard or customised. The standard earplugs, which can easily be purchased in the pharmacy, are the most common ones and can adapt their shape to fit everyone's external auditory canal. They are made of soft plastic and they have a reduced water tightness and poor noise cancelling capability.
Custom swimming ear plugs, instead, are made using medical grade silicone material, custom moulded to offer excellent water protection sealing off the ear canal in a watertight manner, whilst still letting noise through. They are derived from strong and durable silicone properties which allow them to float in water. Every pair of Amplifon ear plugs are laser marked with a name or personalisation of your choice and provided with a protective pouch. There is also an option for them to be fitted with a convenient handle and clear connecting cord if requested. Our swimming ear plugs do not shrink or harden in the water and can be made in a wide variety of bright colours, making them easy to find if they are dropped.
Swimming ear plugs are typically used by athletes who swim for sport, but can also be used leisurely by people who suffer from perforated ear drums or those who are prone to infection in the ears. Swimming ear plugs are not limited for use in the pool only; people use them in open water swimming, triathlons and other water sports such as sailing. Our custom fit swimming ear plugs are suitable to anyone who wishes to protect their ears in the water.
All our ranges of ear plugs are available in a wide variety of colours for different situations, which you can discuss at a FREE consultation with one of our trained audiologists in your local Amplifon clinic.
When diving, regular pressure equalization plays an important role with increasing depth, so that the ears are not injured by the difference in pressure in the ear and outside. Pressure equalization is therefore an important part of diving training. A whole bar of pressure is added for every 10 m of water depth. Therefore, divers must actively equalize the pressure every few meters to prevent barotrauma. Diving causes a strain on the ears, but is not harmful if the pressure is compensated regularly. For this reason, diving with earplugs is not common and is not recommended by many divers.
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Most people shower, swim, or bathe without ear protection. If there is water in ear , it usually flows out again immediately. However, if the ears are repeatedly and for a long time in the water, it is possible that the moisture penetrates very deeply, right up to the eardrum, into the auditory canals. You can tell by a dull pressure and numbness. Failure to completely get rid of the moisture can lead to inflammation. Children and adults with narrow hearing canals are particularly at risk.
There is a variety of reasons that can determine the very common sensation of clogged ears. The most frequent causes include ear infections, colds, ear wax build-up, hearing loss, but also water in the ear. Usually, the feeling of a blocked ear disappears in a few days, but if it doesn't, here are a few tips to get water out of your ears:
The simplest advice is to repeatedly shake your head. If that doesn't work, the ear can also be blown dry to allow the trapped fluid to evaporate. The warm, dry air turns water into steam and helps to dissolve it. Remember to pull the earlobe down a little and hold the hairdryer at least 30 cm from the ear. Set the blow dryer temperature to warm, the air flow low and blow dry directly towards the ear canal for about 30 seconds. Repeat if necessary and make sure to keep the hair dryer far from the ear to avoid burns.
Another effective home remedy is to put a warm compress on the clogged ear. Dip a towel in warm water, squeeze it so that no liquid falls into the ear canal. The cloth should be placed on the ear for 30 seconds and removed for a minute. This process should be repeated four to five times.
Wearing earplugs while swimming helps keep water out of your ears, reducing the risk of infections like swimmer’s ear. But which type is best?
Avoid foam earplugs – they absorb water and are not designed for swimming. They can actually make things worse.
