Keep Your Kids's Ears Safe This Summer With Swim Plugs

Is your child prone to ear infections? Has the doctor recommended the use of tubes in their ears to help? If so, find out what you can do this summer to prevent childhood ear problems.

As the weather warms and summer vacation gets into swing, your little ones will surely head out to play in the water. Here are a few ways to keep their ears safe from infection while they enjoy summer fun.

Choose Good Swim Plugs
Children who have tubes in their ears may need to wear swim plugs when in the water. Start by consulting with your doctor about the need for swim plugs to keep water and bacteria out of the ear canal. Doctors commonly recommend these devices for swimming in open water and at other times based on your child's needs.

Over-the-counter ear plugs are available, but these have many downsides. First, they're not customized to fit your child's ear, so they may be of limited use to keep water out. Standardized plugs are often not washable, creating sanitary issues. And materials like putty may also leave debris in the ear after use.

A better solution is a customized swim plug. A doctor will fit the plug to your child's ear. Custom plugs provide further protection and are specifically designed to keep water out of the ear canal rather than reduce noise.

Ensure Your Child Uses the Plugs Correctly
Your child may have a learning curve when they first start using swim plugs. You probably should insert and remove the ear plugs for your child if they are very young. As the child gets older and adapts to the plugs, they may be able to help out and then finally do it themselves.

If you're not sure if your child will use the plugs correctly when you're not around (such as at swim parties), show another adult how to use them properly. Adult supervision will also help keep track of swim plugs so they don't get lost.

Know When to Use Plugs
Talk with your doctor or hearing professional about the best situations to use swim plugs in your kids' ears. Some parents may feel that chlorinated water in pools may be safer for the child to swim in without plugs, but keep in mind that public pools or hot tubs can be hosts to a variety of contaminants.

The natural surface tension of water helps keep water out of the ear canal for casual swimming. But if your child enjoys diving or going deeper while snorkeling, talk with a hearing professional about the best use of swim plugs in deeper waters.

Follow Up With a Professional

Check in on a regular basis with a hearing professional who will evaluate the use of your child's swim plugs. Growing children may need adjustments to make sure that plugs work effectively and are comfortable. Write down any questions or concerns you or your little one has while using the ear plugs in daily life, and discuss these at regular appointments with the swim-plug provider.

At Accurate Hearing Technology , we provide top-quality swim plugs as well as other ear plugs and devices to protect your children's health. Make an appointment with us today to learn what our custom swim plugs can do for you.