Looking for good earplugs

C'mon now, you folks swim. Surely you have some recommendations?!

I don't think the members like to talk about ear-related gadgets - I got one lonely post from jasmine when I asked about earphones!

Edited by roch1009 2004-08-12 11:54 AM

I'm thinking I need to try earplugs as well, but I haven't a clue where to start. I suppose I'll have to head down to the store and see what all my options are.

All I *do* know is that I get water in my ears and then it affects my equilibrium for the next 24 hours. Ugg!

Alright I will respond. I use the Speedo silicone earplugs. Which Speedo silicone plugs do you use? I bought some that came in a round box and the silicone was square. I really liked those, then Speedo came out with different silicone ear plugs. The silicone was round. Those were a lot harder and I couldn't get them to stay put. I was going to find another pair of plugs when I saw my local sporting goods store was again carrying the square ones, so I bought all they had.

How bad of ear problems do you have? I had an ear infection at the beginning of the summer and went to an ear doctor. He told me I had a hole in my eardrum and I needed to use drops clear up the infection and then get it operated on to close the hole. Then he told me I wouldn't be able to swim. I told him I wasn't going to lie to him and I'd definitely be swimming a lot through the end of summer, and lots of time in pretty nasty water. We came to an understanding and he had a set of custom plugs made for me. They work wonders but cost $75. I use them all the time except for races - I worry about having to put them somewhere during the transition.

During races I use ones you get at the drug store for sound protection. They are foam that you roll between your fingers to squish down, then you stick them in your ear and they expand back to full size. They make a pretty good seal. Your ear will feel wet but not soaked. I can look for the brand at home tonightif you'd like.

I hope it's not that bad! I was told several years ago that I had a "perforated" ear drum, but the doctor didn't say anything about medicine or surgery. I got the impression that it was healed. But, even since I had a bout of vertigo a couple of weeks ago after an open water swim, I've been a little nervous. I'm never quite sure if the vertigo is caused by the swimming or by sleep-deprivation. Or a combo of both. Hmmmm...

Apparently most holes (perforations) do heal themselves. Mine happens to be a separation of the outside of the eardrum from the bone. I guess that doesn't heal. If I keep water out of my ear I am generally fine.

Apparently most holes (perforations) do heal themselves. Mine happens to be a separation of the outside of the eardrum from the bone. I guess that doesn't heal. If I keep water out of my ear I am generally fine.

I used to wear these:

http://www.speedousa.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Cat...

Now I wear these:

http://www.speedousa.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Cat...

I had to buy two sets and picked the two softest plugs from both sets. It works well, it does take some getting used to.

Yikes. Those new earplugs are like the ones I bought and just couldn't use. They did NOT feel comfortable, especially trying to keep my cap over my ears. The silicone plugs feel better than that, but don't seem to really mold to my ears. I spend a good portion of every swim mashing on them to achieve some sort of halfway decent fit.

I guess I need to try a bunch of different ones. I've heard Mack's are pretty good.

I use one of those flange-y ones (the 2nd link that chucky posted) in my right ear (I get water stuck in that ear all day if I don't; for some reason, my left ear isn't a problem at all.) Whit.. keep in mind that you have to cut them down to the right size.. they do take some playing with and getting used to. I can't use the silicone ones at all.. nothing worse than sticking a big ball of wax in my ear.

Whit I want to echo what PGoldberger was saying about getting them from the ear doctor. I don't need ear plugs but my son desparatley needs them because he has tubes in his ears. They molded him a pair that fit perfectly and never fall out. We have had a very busy summer at the pool and not once have we lost them which I think is pretty amazing for a 4 year old.
So they do cost $75 but you'll never need another pair. You'll likely spend that much on experimenting with all the different options available. My .02.
skeedawg

Try the vented ear plugs from Doc's ProPlugs: http://www.proplugs.com

The small vent lets sound in, hence better balance, but is still small enough to keep water out. The ear plugs are reuseable, unlike silicone plugs which lose their tackiness over a short time. The plugs are easily cleaned with mild soap or alcohol. You should first buy the fitting kit ($3) to determine the size of the earplug. The plugs costs $8 for the pair.

I've been using Doc's ProPlugs for about 3 mos now, and I they work great and feel comfortable.

I second the Doc's Pro-Plugs. I use the vented ones for diving and they are very comfortable and they stay in place very well. On the surface, the fact that I can barely hear anything that anyone is saying is the only way I know that I have them in. They come in different sizes, so if there's a dive shop near you, they usually have the fitting chart and a bunch of different sizes. Oh, and even though they may look silly, get the red ones. They are SOOOO much easier to find if you drop them (compared to the clear ones).

-Frank

Edited by scuba-punk 2004-09-20 6:01 AM