Wanted: Speedo Ear Plugs (old style, catapilar)

I am on somewhat of a search for good ear plugs so am interested in what these are and why you like them. I have tried the waxy type but have trouble with them not staying in the ear all the time. I welcome any and suggestions here and why any of you like (or dislike) a particular ear plug. Nancy

Old style, caterpillar??? Check out the USMS corporate partners www.kastawayswimwear.com and www.swimoutlet.com Search on ear plugs. I think Kastaway has what you are looking for.

Rob- Thanks for the direction. I have ordered them and hope that when they arrive they look like the picture. I searched all over the web and in person and could not find this style of plug. So, Thanks again.:groovy: Nancy- These plugs are Speedo Rubber plugs that look like a little catapilar. Do an earplugs search on the Kast-a-Way website linked above. I have tried the new version of Speedo's plug and it goes in to far before it is stuck good. Maybe I have really wide ear canals? I like these because they stay in real well. I have some pairs that I still use that are over 6 years old. They look crusty and yellowed but still work. They have become brittle kind of so when I reach back for a pair with less use I can tell they are more pliable. I hope this helps. ;) Josh

Josh, I have found two styles that work well for me. They're not exactly like the "caterpillars" but they're close. Here is contact information for both manufacturers. ------------------------- Aearo Company 8001 Woodland Dr Indianapolis, IN 46278 317-692-6616 http://www.aearo.com/ Choose the selection that says E*A*R Choose "premolded, reusable earplugs" Choose "UltraFit" Within the below PDF document, there is a comment about how you can get free samples at www.ultrafitoffer.com: www.aearo.com/.../Ultrafit.pdf This company normally sells in large quantities through places like Grainger. I'll bet if you call them and explain why you want them they may sell them to you in a smaller quantity. ---------------------------------- Howard Leight Industries 7828 Waterville Rd San Diego, CA 92154 800-327-1110 www.howardleight.com Earplug main page: www.howardleight.com/.../products.asp I bought these at a drugstore. They were indiviually packaged as "AquaSeal" ear plugs. They look like the style called "Smart Fit" on the below page. www.howardleight.com/.../products2.asp I hope this helps! Anna Lea

Greetings, I am glad to have found your informative site and this thread in particular. I swim in marginal (sometimes bacterial problems) brackish Ches Bay water and noticed more ear problems last year. I plan to try some of the 'plugs' above. Don't mean to get out of the thread's lane, but are there any opinions regarding ear drops administered before or after a swim? Nice to have found a forum of swimmers. Patrick

Anna Lea, and Josh -- thanks for this info. Now the task of choosing! Thanks again.

I use the Auro-Dri drops you can get at any pharmacy. They are 95% isopropyl alcohol and 5% anhydrous glycerin. The water tension of the alcohol mixed with the water in your ear is reduced dramatically allowing it to drain out of your ear. Your ear dries out, leaving little for the fungus and bacteria to incubate in. Works like a charm for me. Skip

I can't really help you with the drops question. I have never used the before or after swim drops but I have been prescribed drops by my doc when I get swimmers ear. I keep a bottle of that around and use it when it feels like I have a pimple in the inside of my ear. The medical drops do kill that infection. J

HiPockets- After having swimmers ear a few times I started using ear drops after swims. Any swimmers ear drops that I can find, no brand preference. The alcohol in the drops stings a bit (sensitive skin), but they do eliminate the feeling of water trapped in the ear. Dana

Well the new ear plugs arrived to day and of course they are the new style not the catapillars I was hoping for. The picture on the Kast-a-way site is the plug I want but they sent the new style. The picture and the new style have the same item code. Oh well, it's back to the crusty yellowed ones for a while. I might try the drops just for kicks. Josh