Swimming with ear plugs

Swimming is a great way to stay active, however, repeated exposure to water is a risk for your ears, leaving them vulnerable to irritation and infection.

Swimming with ear plugs is an effective way to protect your ears, reducing trapped water, Swimmers Ear and discomfort.

If you’re a regular swimmer or managing an ear condition, the correct ear plugs can help you stay safe in the water.

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Why swim with ear plugs?

Spending time in the sea, lakes, or pools exposes your ears to moisture, bacteria and chemicals such as chlorine [1]. When water gets trapped within the ear canal, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. This can lead to Swimmers Ear, or otitis externa, a painful outer ear infection.

Swimming with ear plugs creates a barrier, keeping the water out and thereby reducing the risk of inflammation, irritation and infection. These are particularly beneficial for frequent swimmers, children, and anyone with a history of issues with their ears.

Is it safe to swim with an ear infection or perforated eardrum?

In most cases, it is not recommended to swim with an ear infection or a perforated eardrum, as the exposure to water can worsen your symptoms [2].

If swimming is unavoidable, consult with a hearing professional to minimise risk. Always seek professional advice before swimming with an ear infection.

Fresh water swimmer in wetsuit, goggles and swimming cap.

Can you hear when swimming with ear plugs?

Whether you can hear while swimming with ear plugs is a question many people worry about. Most swimming ear plugs reduce sound rather than entirely eliminating sound [3]. Custom swimming ear plugs can help maintain awareness from your surroundings.

Choosing the best ear plugs for swimming

When choosing ear plugs, some things to consider are:

How frequently you swim
Whether you’re swimming in pools or open water
Any history of ear infections or concerns
Whether the ear plugs are for an adult or child

Types of ear plugs for swimming

Disposable and pre-moulded swimming ear plugs

Disposable and pre-moulded swimming ear plugs are available, accessible, and usually made from silicone or rubber.

Benefits include: affordability, easily replaceable, suitable for occasional swimmers

Disadvantages include: designed for single use, one-size-fits-all design may not provide accurate seal and protection for regular swimmers

Custom ear plugs for swimming

Custom swimming ear plugs are moulded specifically to the shape of your ears, offering a safe and secure watertight fit. This option is often recommended by hearing professionals for the best level of protection and comfort.

Benefits include: superior water protection, comfortable for extended use, reusable and long-lasting, ideal for regular swimmers or those with ear conditions, and versatile use such as preventing water from entering the ear canals while washing hair.

Disadvantages include: requires custom impressions appointment

How to use and care for swimming ear plugs

To increase the lifespan of your swimming ear plugs:

Insert them correctly before entering the water
Rinse reusable ear plugs with clean water after use
Allow them to dry fully before storage
Store them in a clean, protective case

Proper care helps extend the life of your ear plugs and ensures effective protection.

Book a Hearing Protection Appointment

Custom ear plugs for swimming at THCP

Our hearing protection appointments are 30 minutes, providing enough time to discuss your medical history and examine the health of your ears to confirm that it’s safe to proceed with processing the impressions.

All custom-fit earplugs require an impression of your ear, taken by a hearing aid audiologist. Impressions are custom molds of a person’s ear canal and outer ear, that allow for precision in sizing and comfort when making custom earplugs.

Once the impression taking process is complete, the hearing protection appointment proceeds with further ear health checks, and your unique impressions are then sent to the manufacturer..

Custom ear plugs for swimming are then usually ready between 3-4 weeks. Upon arrival, if any alterations are needed for comfort, there is a cushion of 60 days for any changes. This ensures your earplugs are exactly as you truly require.

Price: £89 for your custom swimming earplugs including the consultation, 1 year manufactures warranty and 60 day warranty for any needed mould adjustments or filter swaps.

How do I book an appointment?

At The Hearing Clinic Partnership, our experienced audiologists want to provide you with the perfect solution tailored to your needs and your lifestyle.

During a hearing protection appointment, they will begin with a consultation to discuss your needs and examine your ears. They will evaluate factors like your noise exposure levels, work environment, and personal preferences to determine the most suitable type of hearing protection for you.

If custom-moulded earplugs are recommended, the audiologist will take precise impressions of your ear canals to create earplugs moulded to fit your ears perfectly for maximum comfort and noise protection. You will also receive thorough training on properly inserting, wearing, cleaning, and maintaining your specific hearing protection devices to ensure effective use.

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Call us on 0800 52 00 546. Lines are open Monday – Saturday 08:30 – 17:00.

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FAQs

Yes, you can swim underwater with ear plugs designed for deep water.

Most swimming ear plugs should reduce sound rather than entirely eliminating sound[3]. Our custom swimming ear plugs can help to maintain awareness.

It is advised to avoid swimming with an ear infection as the exposure to water can often lead to worsening your symptoms[2].

Children have a higher risk of developing infections such as swimmer’s ear than adults[4]. Considering this, it’s generally regarded as safe and recommended for children to wear ear plugs made for deep water.

Custom made ear plugs for swimming offer superior water protection and reliability, they are ideal for regular swimmers.

Yes, custom-fit earplugs provide a secure, watertight seal to prevent water from entering the ear canals while washing hair. They are especially useful for those with ear conditions, needing reliable water protection beyond swimming.

Sources

[1] Mayo Clinic. (2025). Swimmer’s ear: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swimmers-ear/symptoms-causes/syc-20351682

[2] NHS. (2025, January 16). Ear infections. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ear-infections/

[3] Earmold Laboratories. (n.d.). Everything You Need to Know About Swimming Earplugs.

https://www.earlab.com.au/guide/everything-you-need-to-know-about-swimming-earplugs

[4] Dr Stella Fulman. The Best Swim Ear Plugs For Kids: Safe Fun https://audiologyisland.com/blog/the-best-swim-ear-plugs-for-kids/