Ear plugs for swimming?

[Savvy_Sue]

does anyone wear ear plugs for swimming, and if so how do you get on with them?

I know this is going to sound a bit daft, but I quite enjoy swimming, only I HATE the feeling of water in my ears, especially the deaf one. And as I swim on my back, that's a bit of a problem!

There's nothing physically wrong with my ears except that one of them is a bit deaf, no perforated eardrums or anything like that.

I've tried a silly hat, but that doesn't really work very well, I have to keep stopping and letting the water out. So the next possible solution would be ear plugs. But do they work? And would they also make my head feel funny by making me feel too 'distant' from my surroundings?

I'm not even sure I'm making sense ... but hopefully some of you who wear or have tried ear plugs will be able to offer advice!

[tigtag02]

Hi SS

My youngest has grommets and has to have these for swimming lessons.

She uses the ear putty which is fab (our local baths has this in the vending machine) and then a headband over the top which is quite trendy (I can find a link if you need one)

She never complains of water in her ears and at her last check up they were still in place (the grommets not her ears :p)

HTH
tt
x

[tigtag02]

Here's the link (http://www.swimstop.co.uk/ear_band-it.html) :D

[Poppy9]

DD used to swim for a club and a couple of boys used blue tack in their ears as it was most effective.

[tigtag02]

DD used to swim for a club and a couple of boys used blue tack in their ears as it was most effective.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I really wouldn't recommend blue tack!!

[Poppy9]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I really wouldn't recommend blue tack!!

They used it safely for the 4 years DD was in the club. I was curious seeing this blue putty in their ears but one of the mothers said it was the most effective.

[Savvy_Sue]

She uses the ear putty which is fab (our local baths has this in the vending machine) and then a headband over the top which is quite trendy (I can find a link if you need one)You mean a headband like this (http://www.newitts.com/product/IT026256/Ear_Bands.htm)? Not sure that a 'normal' headband wouldn't work as well, but maybe I'm only saying that because they don't do the adult size in pink. :rotfl:

I haven't heard of ear putty before.

Bother, now I've gone and looked online and you can get some which leave sound levels OK but keep water out, and some which are supposed to help you when you fly, and I can see I'm going to end up spending money ...

[tigtag02]

You mean a headband like this (http://www.newitts.com/product/IT026256/Ear_Bands.htm)? Not sure that a 'normal' headband wouldn't work as well, but maybe I'm only saying that because they don't do the adult size in pink. :rotfl:

I haven't heard of ear putty before.

Bother, now I've gone and looked online and you can get some which leave sound levels OK but keep water out, and some which are supposed to help you when you fly, and I can see I'm going to end up spending money ...

Sorry :o:o:p

I cant open the link (stoopid computer gives up opening them unless I reboot if I've been on a comping fest ;)) but the little one has no trouble at all hearing the instructor using the putty and bands from the swimstop site :D

[Poppy9]

Found a site that (http://www.sydneyent.com.au/procedures/ear/body_ear.htm)recommends blue tac!!



Water Care
With ventilation tubes in place there is a concern that if water enters the ear canal, it may pass through the tube and into the middle ear, and set up an infective process in this area. This is not an inevitability, and some patients with VT"s swim and shower or bath without protection and never have a problem. It advisable however to take some precautions. Simply this involves the use of earplugs (blue tac, cotton wool and vaseline, silicone ear putty, or custom made plugs) and some form of head cover (swimming cap, ear wrap). Soapy or contaminated water should be particularly avoided. Children with VT's should not be prevented from swimming.

[Savvy_Sue]

OK, some cross posting going on.

I thought it was worth thanking Poppy for the blu-tak suggestion although I won't be taking her up on it ... We don't use blu-tak in this house because I hate it so much! :rotfl:

[Savvy_Sue]

Found a site that (http://www.sydneyent.com.au/procedures/ear/body_ear.htm)recommends blue tac!!Oh dear, I didn't like those close-up photos! Don't know why but they'd put me off my dinner if it was dinner-time. :rotfl:

[Savvy_Sue]

Sorry :o:o:p

I cant open the link (stoopid computer gives up opening them unless I reboot if I've been on a comping fest ;)) but the little one has no trouble at all hearing the instructor using the putty and bands from the swimstop site :DThanks. FWIW, the bands I found were cheaper, but didn't include ear putty! Think ear putty and bands together still worked out cheaper, should you need more in future!

I'll have to head off to the Council swimming baths and see what they have: I don't think the gym I use has anything like that on offer, just silly hats and 'normal' ear plugs.

[tigtag02]

Thanks. FWIW, the bands I found were cheaper, but didn't include ear putty! Think ear putty and bands together still worked out cheaper, should you need more in future!

I'll have to head off to the Council swimming baths and see what they have: I don't think the gym I use has anything like that on offer, just silly hats and 'normal' ear plugs.

I only actually noticed the other week that they had the putty but deffo look at the local baths.

We actually bought the plugs when we got the bands (like rubber screws) and the putty is a million times better :D

[Poppy9]

... We don't use blu-tak in this house because I hate it so much! :rotfl:

I've got packets of it, blue and white. The only reason we have it is that DD put it on her list for Father Christmas when she was younger. She just loves the feel of it and and used to keep a blob on her bedside cabinet:o

[belfastgirl23]

I couldn't get the ear putty to work :( but maybe I'm just cack handed...

[Savvy_Sue]

There was a comment on one of the places I found to buy it that it was quite hard to mould it to fit. So not necessarily just you!

That's where you can see blu-tak would be good. Plus it would probably leave your ears quite clean! :rotfl:

[tigtag02]

There was a comment on one of the places I found to buy it that it was quite hard to mould it to fit. So not necessarily just you!

That's where you can see blu-tak would be good. Plus it would probably leave your ears quite clean! :rotfl:

The first couple of times are the hardest, its like playdoh thats been in the fridge, the more you play, the more pliable, the easier to mould :D

[belfastgirl23]

I do admittedly have weird ears - I have real trouble with in-ear headphones as well and only one type will do me. My brother has the same thing. They look okay from outside though :)

[Savvy_Sue]

I've had awful problems with my hearing aid moulds as well, so I'm sure you're not alone with the weird ears! Mine are lovely on the outside though ...

[mykidsmum]

I can recommend boots own brand 'muffles wax earplugs' they mould to fit the ear and only cost £2.09 for 5 pairs. my daughter uses them.
hope that helps