Poolside or beachside, if you or your children plan to take a dip in the pool, you might consider protecting your ears from annoying swimmer’s ear or painful ear infections. There’s nothing like a painful ear infection to ruin your child’s summer vacation! And yours, for that matter when you are up all night taking temperatures and administering antibiotics.

Why is it that the ear infection always occurs at the weekend when the doctor is away playing golf? Those urgent or emergency care visits certainly add up, don’t they? I’m still paying on one from the last holiday!

Simple measures such as purchasing ear plugs for swimming or an ear canal drying aid in case you forgot the earplugs can help prevent many of the painful, irritating symptoms of swimmer’s ear and save you money down the road.

Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear infection that is a result of getting the ear canals wet repeatedly. The wet conditions are a perfect medium for bacteria that then cause the infection. Swimmer’s ear can also lead to an inner ear infection that can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort as well as frighteningly high temperatures. This is most common in children. Children with repeated ear infections may end up with permanent hearing damage.

Initially, you or your child may have a little itching in the ear canal, which may be a bit pinker than normal. Redness and discomfort will follow as well as drainage. The ear will continue to become redder, inflamed and the discharge will become more opaque and potentially have an odour. If you touch the ‘tragus’ of the ear (the little bump on the front of the ear, there will be noticeable pain. Hearing may be muffled.

If left untreated, an outer ear infection has a big potential for becoming an inner ear infection. Fever and bloody discharge are always a reason to ring the doctor.

Purchasing children’s swimming earplugs will ensure that your child’s small, precious ear canals are protected from the water. You should not use adult-sized earplugs because your child’s ear canals are smaller. If the earplug is too large, they will not properly seal the canal. Your child may find adult earplugs uncomfortable as well making compliance an issue.

For the avid swimmer, custom earplugs are a good idea. If your child or you swim regularly or competitively, the investment in specially moulded earplugs designed to fit your ears only offers the very best protection. They will fit more comfortably and seal out all water. An impression of your ear is taken (tickles a bit, but otherwise a comfortable process) and the kit is sent back to the ProGuard facility where your custom earplugs are designed and shipped back to your front door.

There are many different types of swimming earplugs, one of which is sure to fit your needs and protect your or your child’s ears and hearing!

Cheers for now!

Meghan