Having recently returned to fitness swimming (with an eye toward my first triathlon), I am re-experiencing water in the ear syndrome. I have purchased, and am using some commercial drops (name escapes me at the moment) which does help dry out the ears.
My question is whether simple alcohol will work as well as the drops. Am curious to know what any of you may use for this.
Thanks, Nancy
Former Member
I get earaches if I swim deep, or dive alot, in very deep water. The last time I dove for coins with the grandchildren my ears killed me for two days afterwards. I use the alcohol/vinegar solution afterwards so there wasn't water left in my ears. I'm sure it must be the exposure to the underwater pressure otherwise the alcohol/vinegar solution works very well for me.
Swimming under the surface at a depth of 6 ft or more will put much pressure on your ears. I swim to the bottom of a 13 ft pool from time to time and its suprising how much pressure there is at such a "shallow depth"
I read Bobs use of the ear plugs head band and cap/ I have seen these head bands and they are some what thick. They are not designed to keep water out but only to hold ear plugs in. The 'Swim Band " I posted about is not of this design. Its a regular swimcap cut off at the top. It does keep water out at the sides, keeps earplugs in if you want earplugs, and makes all caps more watertite ..and it is cheap and will fit under another swimcap.
The page is at www.geocities.com/.../swimband.html
for anyone in the future that wants to see ways to keep water from ears or hairstyles.
