Ear plugs for swimming?

[ClockworkOrange]

Thanks to all the useful advice I received on here about what goggles and lap counter to buy, all is going 'swimmingly' well.

Now regularly swimming 3 to 4 times a week and have reached 1125 metres which I am so pleased about, hope to manage 1600 by end of next month.

Anyway, now think I should try ear plugs as after swimming, feel I have water in my ear that does not seem to want to come out.

SO?

Plugs, silicone, beeswax or cotton wool with Vaseline on top?

I have tried searching reviews on the internet but thought I would receive much more reliable information here.

Thanks in advance.

[Tri Girl]

honestly, I just buy the jumbo bag of ear plugs from the drug store and use those. The wax ones have never worked for me, so I finally just tried the ones I sleep with, and voila! If you take them out and try to put them back in when wet they'll puff up real big and you can't get them back in, tho- so you might want to keep a spare pair around. Once they dry out they are fine again. Plus, they are very cheap (another good consideration for me).

[crazycanuck]

Just use the noise blocking ones from safety gear shops..they work!

[Becky]

A little isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) dripped in your ears afterwards will help get rid of the water. I keep a bottle of this in my swim bag for convenience. It's just alcohol and glycerin.

[sarahkonamojo]

Congratulations on the milestones!
These are the best ear plugs: http://www.proplugs.com/
I spend a lot of time in the water. Mostly I am avoiding cold water from entering the ear. I get the kind with the hole for hearing, but you probably don't need that.
They come in sizes. You will need a fit kit first.
Good luck,
Sarah

[OakLeaf]

I prefer the silicone ones for swimming. The foam ones are much better for noise reduction (motorcycling, sleeping), but they will get waterlogged and still leave you susceptible to swimmer's ear. In fact, I've gotten "swimmer's ear" (otitis externa) from dry earplugs on the motorcycle more than once.

I mix my own solution of half apple cider vinegar and half 91% isopropyl alcohol in a dropper bottle. The alcohol dries the ear canals and the vinegar creates an acidic environment where yeasts and "bad" bugs won't grow well. Or instead of vinegar I'll mix a pinch of crystalline citric acid (I use that stuff for EVERYTHING) into 70% isopropyl alcohol.

[Ered_Lithui]

I use ones that remind me a bit of a plunger. Pretty much like this: http://www.brownells.com/1/1/38594-e...pak-e-a-r.html

In the States, they're about $2 at a pharmacy. I used to use silicone, but they required too much fiddling and wouldn't stay in reliably, plus mine tended to get gummed up with dirt.

[badger]

touch wood in the 10 years I've been swimming regularly I haven't had any ear problems.

Not sure if this works, but seems to for me is to pull the cap all the way down past the ears.

This isn't part of the topic, but I've been swimming with a nose plug for the past few years. It took a while to get used to it, but I am a MUCH better swimmer for it, as I can stay under longer. Good thing I can't see (nor do I care) what I look like!

[ClockworkOrange]

Once again, BIG thanks for all the suggestions.

I have never heard of isopropyl alcohol and must confess, it scares me a bit, putting something like that into my ear, so I have just ordered Mack's Dry-n-Clear, probably the same ingredient.

Never wear a hat, so that's out too.

So will check out all the different types in more detail, just personal preference I suppose.

Oivay..............is nothing easy.

[Becky]

I have never heard of isopropyl alcohol and must confess, it scares me a bit, putting something like that into my ear, so I have just ordered Mack's Dry-n-Clear, probably the same ingredient.

Sorry Clock...I don't know what isopropyl alcohol is called in your area...the chemist might be able to help. But yes, you're right, Mack's is just isopropyl alcohol (with some glycerin add for moisturizing).

I like Oak's idea with the vinegar and isopropyl alcohol. I'm going to try that.

[OakLeaf]

The things you learn on this forum ... I had no idea that you can't get plain ol' rubbing alcohol in the UK! It's ubiquitous in the USA.

According to Wikipedia, the equivalent skin preparation in the UK is called "surgical spirit," which is a mixture of methanol and ethanol. I wouldn't think it would dry as quickly as isopropanol, but I googled it with "swimmer's ear" and found plenty of references to using surgical spirit (with or without vinegar added) to dry ear canals.

I have just ordered Mack's Dry-n-Clear, probably the same ingredient.

Yep.

[ClockworkOrange]

Excellent, I received my Mack's today AND of course, it is made in the USA.

Yup, 95% Isopropyl and 5% Glycerin.

Monday morning, will be all prepared with my little bottle of Mack's when I get out of the pool.

Thanks again.

Now back to the drawing board with ear plugs.

[crazycanuck]

Clock my dear, you don't necessarily need those earplugs. If you get a cool cap (TE sells some funky ones ) and pull it over your ears properly, you don't always get water in your ears.

If you haven't worn a cap before & worry about it pulling your hair: Jump into de pool w de cap, put de cap under water, throw some on yer head, throw de cap on your head..voila..!

I feel a bit like the swedish chef..must go and find the "chocolate mousse" skit

[ClockworkOrange]

...........................If you haven't worn a cap before & worry about it pulling your hair: Jump into de pool w de cap, put de cap under water, throw some on yer head, throw de cap on your head..voila..!

I feel a bit like the swedish chef..must go and find the "chocolate mousse" skit

I larfed my socks off, nice one crazy.

Damn, I can't believe I am now looking at swimming caps!!!

Discovered there are some really cool ones about but being on OAP, thought mustn't go too OTT, so am after this one.

At this rate I will be all ready for the London Olympics in 2012!

Why I love coming on here and discussing things, is that if I told family and friends, they would think I had lost the plot.