Best Swimming Ear Plugs For Kids (2024 Reviews)

Swimming is a great activity for the entire family! It’s fun and provides a great way for kids to stay active. However, getting water in the ears can pose the risk of swimmer’s ear and ear infections, both of which can be painful and uncomfortable for your kids.

Swimming earplugs are a great option for reducing the risk of these ear problems. While not generally necessary for all children, earplugs are especially important for children who have ear tubes or a history of ear infections.

Earplugs that are designed for swimming come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. It’s important to find the right ones that are comfortable, effective, and safe for your young child or children!

In this article, we’ll outline the best swimming earplugs for kids to help prevent swimmer’s ear and bacterial infections. We’ll also discuss the different types of earplugs, their features, and what to consider when choosing the right ones for your child.

Types of Earplugs

Before we get into the best specific earplugs for kids, let’s break down the differences between some of the most common types of earplugs that you’ll find:

• Silicone Earplugs – These earplugs are pre-molded and come in different sizes as well as different shapes. Silicone in general is waterproof and resistant to bacteria making it the best option for swimming earplugs.
• Silicone Putty Earplugs – These soft silicone earplugs are designed to be molded to fit the shape of the child’s ear and create a watertight seal to block water from entering. This makes them a great option for kids with smaller ear canals. They can also be reused multiple times.
• Foam Earplugs – While likely the first thing we think of when talking about earplugs, foam earplugs are not recommended for swimming or other water sports or activities.
• Custom Fit Earplugs – Just as the name suggests, these are ear plugs that are custom fit by a doctor and are great for those who are looking for a perfect fit for their child, though much more expensive.
• Ear Band – Ok while not technically ear plugs, ear bands are an excellent choice for younger children who may not want to wear ear plugs or have a difficult time finding a good fit.

Best Swimming Earplugs for Kids

While there are many different types of earplugs on the market today, here are some of the top-rated earplugs that we recommend for kids:

Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Swimmers Earplugs

These affordable and easy to use earplugs are made of a moldable silicone putty and come in a pack of six! They are a great option for younger children (under 6).

Mack’s Aquablock Swimming Earplugs

While the Mack’s soft silicone earplugs above are great for younger kids, these pre-molded earplugs are a good option for kids over the age of 6. They are flexible, comfortable, and can be reused.

TYR Kids Soft Silicone Earplugs

These soft, moldable swim plugs are also great for younger children (under 6). They come in bright colors, packed in a carrying case.

Putty Buddies Swimmers Ear Plugs

Another very popular option for young children, Putty Buddies were created by an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor. They are comfortable and even float on water!

Anbow Silicone Ear Plugs

These soft silicone earplugs are pre-molded and come in a pack of 8 bright colors. They are reusable and are great for swimming as well as general noise canceling.

Speedo Kids Ear Plugs

These earplugs are great for both smaller and bigger kids as they are easy to double up and mold them perfectly to your child’s ear!

Water Dam Swimming Ear Plugs

These swim plugs are pre-molded with a double flange design meaning they will provide a watertight seal and come in a variety of sizes and colors!

EAR BAND-IT Ultra Swimming Headband

Ear bands are a great way to keep earplugs in place and make them much more comfortable and tolerable for young children.

Ear Pro Swimmer Ear Spray

If you find yourself in a situation where your child simply can’t (or won’t) wear earplugs, this ear spray is a good alternative. While not as effective as earplugs, this spray can help to prevent trapped water thus reducing the chances of infection.

Benefits of Wearing Earplugs for Swimming

Wearing earplugs while swimming can provide a number of benefits. Most importantly, they provide ear protection to the outer ear and ear canal against water, bacteria, and other contaminants that can cause infections and irritation.

Additionally, earplugs can help to reduce the risk of a swimmer’s ear. They can also help reduce the risk of ear infections or a ruptured eardrum due to changes in pressure when diving or swimming in deeper water.

Lastly, earplugs can also provide noise reduction from loud noises which can not only damage the inner ear but may also be upsetting to some children during a swimming event.

What is Swimmer’s Ear?

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal and can cause severe pain, swelling, and itching. This infection, also known as otitis externa, is caused by trapped water in the outer ear canal, which can be caused by swimming, bathing, or other water activities such as water skiing or tubing.

The infection can also be caused by untreated water, such as from lakes, rivers, and ponds. If left untreated, swimmer’s ear can cause permanent damage to the ear. In severe cases, it can even lead to hearing loss.

Swimmer’s ear is most often treated by an ear, nose, and throat physician (or ENT) and can be prevented by wearing ear plugs in various bodies of water.

What to consider when choosing swimming earplugs for kids

When choosing earplugs for kids, there are multiple factors to consider:

Swim Earplugs: Likely the most important factor, you need to make sure that the earplugs you purchase are specifically designed for swimming, as standard earplugs like foam earplugs will not provide adequate protection from water.

Size: For earplugs to effectively protect against infection and other ear problems, they must create a watertight seal. The earplugs you choose must fit perfectly in your child’s ear.

Material: Foam earplugs were designed for reducing noise rather than blocking water. For swimming, you want to look for earplugs made from silicone or putty material.

Comfort: Children are very unlikely to wear earplugs if they are not comfortable! Look for kids’ earplugs that are made of soft material and provide a good fit for the most comfort.

Bright Colors: This might not be an obvious consideration, but having brightly colored earplugs will make it easier to spot them if they do happen to fall out while swimming.

Reusable Earplugs: You may find options for both reusable and single-use swim plugs, and both have benefits! Reusable earplugs are typically more cost-effective in the long term and can be easily kept and protected in a storage case. However, single-use plugs may be more convenient as there is no cleaning or maintenance.

While this is a lot to consider – the good news is that there are many earplugs available today that are specifically designed for small ears. We’ll get to some of our favorites below!

Is it necessary for all kids to wear earplugs when swimming?

Generally, it is not necessary for all kids to wear earplugs when swimming.

However, as mentioned above, those who have ear tubes or have a history of ear infections should consider wearing ear plugs, as well as those who swim in untreated water, like lakes, rivers, and oceans as opposed to chlorinated water.

Additionally, those with a ruptured eardrum should not swim or submerge themselves underwater until the infection has healed.

Ear Plug FAQ’s

Are earplugs safe for all children to wear while swimming?

While not all children need to wear earplugs while swimming, they are generally considered to be safe for most children. Your best bet is to talk with your child’s ENT to decide whether or not your child should wear swim earplugs.

What’s the best way to clean and care for earplugs?

If you’ve opted for reusable swim earplugs, cleaning and caring for them is an important part of protecting your kids from swimmer’s ear and other infections.

After each use, make sure to wash the earplugs with soapy water and then rinse them in warm water before allowing them to dry thoroughly before returning them to the carrying case.

Additionally, make sure to store the earplugs in a clean, dry place. If the earplugs become damaged or worn, make sure to replace them immediately.

Can children use earplugs in the bathtub?

Yes! Swimming earplugs are not just for use at the public swimming pool. If your child has ear tubes in place or otherwise needs earplugs for the prevention of a bacterial infection, they can certainly use earplugs in the bathtub.

Final Thoughts on Best Swimming Ear Plugs for Kids

Ultimately, the best earplugs for your young child are the ones that they will wear! Trying different sizes and shapes of earplugs may be necessary to find the best pair that works for your little one if you’re looking to reduce the risk of swimmer’s ear and other ear infections.

If you are still unsure of which earplugs are right for your child, it can always be helpful to consult with your pediatrician or ENT!

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