I think I saw some recommendations for ear plugs in old threads here. I have never used these, but wonder if I should. If you swim for many years and never use those, would it be likely to cause any problems to the ears? Thanks for participating the pool--oops, the poll. :)
I use earplugs. At one time, I probably wore them based on concerns of getting ear infections, but now I just wear them for comfort. I use Mack's silicone earplugs and would recommend them. I really jam them in my ears (this is against the packaging, by the way) but by doing this they stay in my ears reasonably well even though I don't wear a swim cap. They work better after a few uses (ie when they get some ear wax on them) and get nasty after a week or so. I use Swim Ear or Auro-Dri if water nevertheless gets in my ears, and they work OK. I'm no doctor, but I wouldn't think you'd have a problem using them after not doing so for years (other than as a matter of comfort).
I dont use anything right now, but have been thinking about it. The longer I am in the water (as an adult) I seem to be getting sensitive to the water. As an age grouper I did double 6 days a week... and never had a problem. But now, it seems my youth is gone. Imspoiled uses drops, but I cant recall the name... you might want to PM her.
I don't use plugs in the pool, but someone once told me that they are valuable for keeping you warm in open water when the water is cold. Something about some temp regulation component in the inner ear. It could've been a bunch of hogwash (i was a math major, so just trusted the biology was right) and I might just be suffering from a "placebo effect," but the only time I wear a cap or ear plugs is in cold open water and it seems to do the trick.
I've been prone to get ear infections, since I was a kid. The ENT recommended the drops for me. I use a brand call SwimEar. You can find them at Wal-Mart.
If you use ear plugs, then you don't hear people talking, and in case the guard is whistling to you?
I've heard quite some people recommending ear drops. I have never put any liquid in my ears in my life, so it makes me think putting ear drops in the ears is like putting water in it, making it worse. Perhaps the drops evaporates quickly?
I use ear plugs. I tried the silicone ones but they kept falling out of my ears. Sometimes its a challenge hearing instructions at practice but the benefits far out weigh trying to get the water out of my ears!
I've heard quite some people recommending ear drops. I have never put any liquid in my ears in my life, so it makes me think putting ear drops in the ears is like putting water in it, making it worse. Perhaps the drops evaporates quickly?
Auro-Dri is isopropyl alcohol and glycerine. The alcohol has a drying effect which is supposed to help any water trapped in the ear dry up. I used it and never had any problems with it, but I have no idea if it was beneficial or not.
When I was an age grouper I remember one of the team moms taking a hair dryer to her kid's ears to dry up the water.
Auro-Dri is isopropyl alcohol and glycerine. The alcohol has a drying effect which is supposed to help any water trapped in the ear dry up..
When I was a youth swimmer we used a concoction of isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. It did help--prior to the use I had frequent outer ear infections.
My ears do still hurt occasionally so I use Mack's ear drops after each use.
