Based on the research, we have shortlisted five best swimming ear plugs for 2023. When it comes to ear plugs, we have been asked whether swimming ear plugs can also be used for surfing, kiteboarding or other water sports? The good news is that many of the swimming ear plug models can double as surfing or kiteboarding ear plugs as well.
Whether you are a casual swimmer or a pro with a regular passion for a dip, ear plugs are a handy accessory. We tested a wide range of swimming ear plugs from various brands to see which one works best.
We checked each model against various metrics, such as comfort, water-proof capability and price tag.
Here’s a quick guide on why ear plugs are important, how to choose the right plugs, and a look at five of the best models for 2019.
What We Cover
Why We use Ear Plugs in Swimming, Surfing, Kiteboarding or other Water Sports?
When you indulge in water sports such as swimming, surfing or kiteboarding, you are regularly exposed to water and cold weather conditions. You may be able to protect your body from the adverse conditions but the ears are often left unexposed.
Many surfers, kiteboarders or swimmers choose not to wear an ear plug because it seems like an unnecessary accessory. However, an ear plug is quite important for both occasional water sports enthusiasts as well as regular pros.
If you don’t wear an ear plug, long-term exposure to water and cold can affect your ear health. It can lead to infections and otitis.
You may even develop a condition that is known as the ‘surfers’ ear’ or ‘swimmers’ ear.’ In this condition, the bone inside your ear begins to grow abnormally due to be being exposed to water and cold.
This is a reaction of your body to prevent water from reaching your ear drum. As the bone grows, it obstructs your ear canal. Partial obstruction can lead to infections as water and wax are not fully removed. Full obstruction can even lead to deafness.
An easy way to prevent this is by using ear plugs. Ear plugs effectively prevent water from reaching the interior of your ear. Quality plugs also keep the inside of your ears warm by preventing cold ear from entering the ear canal.
Ear plugs are useful for both beginners and pros. Beginners are typically not very experienced in protecting their ears from water, so ear plugs come in handy.
Pros indulge in water sports very frequently which is why they also need ear plugs to prevent conditions such as surfers’ ear.
Top 4 Best Swimming Ear Plugs for 2023
1. Hearprotek 2 Pairs
One of our favorite ear plugs for the year is the Hearprotek plugs. These plugs come constructed from soft silicone which is flexible yet very durable.
The plugs are ergonomically designed which ensures that they offer a snug fit for your ears. The interior protrusion fits snugly inside the interior of the ear while the exterior is placed flat against the outer ear.
This makes sure that the plugs remain in place and keeps your ears fully water-proof.
The overall design of these plugs is incredibly comfortable. This is a useful feature when you are going to wear plugs all day long or if you are going to use them often. Thanks to the soft, flexible and comfortable make, these plugs do not cause any itching or irritation.
Hearprotek is offering these plugs in 2 sizes and 3 colors. The smaller sizes are suitable for younger kids although the company does not offer any size for infants.
For carry and storage, Hearprotek offers a handy case. The case is easy to carry around in your purse or bag and offers the perfect storage for the ear plugs.
2. 3 Pairs Swimming Ear Plugs, Waterproof Reusable Silicone Earplugs for
The Swimming Ear Plugs from Hearprotek are another excellent choice for surfers, kiteboarders and swimmers alike. As with the model above, these ear plugs are constructed from soft silicone material.
This makes sure that they are comfortable and flexible. The plugs are designed with an attention to detail so that they offer a perfect and adaptable fit for every individual.
Hearprotek offers these ear plugs in pairs of 3. Each set comes with 3 pairs of ear plugs, each in a different color. Current color variants include black, white and blue. You can switch between different colors for different occasions.
The ear plugs are geared at both casual and regular swimmers. If you intend to protect ear canal from water during kiteboarding, swimming or surfing, these plugs are a great choice.
The great thing about these plugs is that they have a very versatile design. This makes them suitable for use in other situation as well such as bathing and snorkeling. The plugs are incredibly easy to clean – simply wash them and let air dry. Then you can store them until your next use. Hearprotek offers a hard box storage case for these ear plugs.
3. Coquimbo 2 Pairs
The Coquimbo ear plugs for adults are another excellent choice for both occasional enthusiasts and pros. These plugs are perfect for protecting your ear canal during swimming although they can also be used during showering and surfing.
The plugs are designed to offer a snug, secure and comfortable fit. This makes sure you don’t have to worry about the plugs falling off. A common problem with many ear plug models is that it becomes hard to distinguish left from right. To resolve this problem, Coquimbo has marked the left and right ear plugs with L and R.
These plugs come in a set with two pairs. They are also very light-weight so that you don’t feel any irritation or discomfort while wearing them.
The Coquimbo ear plugs are reusable and can be washed and dried for routine maintenance. These plugs are also fairly affordable which makes them one of the economical choices for swimmers and surfers.
A transparent storage case for these plugs let you store the plugs and carry them on the go.
The company behind these ear plugs offers a 30-day money back guarantee if you don’t like the plugs. You also get a one-year replacement warranty in case you find a problem with these plugs.
4. Every Cares 6 Pairs
Our final shortlisted model for this list is the Every Cares silicone swimming ear plugs. These plugs are made from medical-grade silicone which makes them a safe and healthy option for swimmers, surfers and kiteboarders.
Being constructed from silicone, these plugs are completely odor free no matter how many times you use them. They are also BPA-free.
The design of these ear plugs features a tree-shaped end. With multiple stops, this design ensures that there is no water leakage and your ear canal is completely protected from water during swimming, kiteboarding or surfing.
Every Cares has also designed these ear plugs with an eye to comfort. This makes them particularly suitable for sensitive ears or ears with small ear canal.
These ear plugs are very effective in preventing ear infection during water sports as well as in other situations. The ergonomic fit also ensures that the plugs stay in place, conforming to the exact ear size and contours of the wearer.
Every Cares offers these plugs in a set with 6 pairs. Each pair comes with own storage case so that they are incredibly easy to store, carry around and reuse.
These ear plugs are also washable. A slight downside to these ear plugs is that they are only available in blue color. So if you purchase an entire set, you get 6 blue ear plugs.
However, this shouldn’t be a problem if you are going to share the ear plugs with friends and family.
How to choose the Right Swimming Ear Plugs
A huge range of swimming ear plugs is available in the market. Many different varieties of ear plugs also exist. However, you must consider a few things when purchasing ear plugs in order to make sure you get the right paid. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Moldable or custom: Most ear plugs already available in the market fall in the moldable category. Moldable ear plugs typically cost less. They are usually made of silicone and readily adapt to the shape and size of your ear. The upside to this is that they offer very good protection from water. The downside is that they can be reused many times. Custom ear plugs are typically tailored to your ear size. They cost a lot more but they can be used for a long time.
- Flanged or ergonomic: In contrast to the above-mentioned varieties, you can also choose from flanged or ergonomic ear plugs. Flanged plugs come in a universal-unit but they may lose suction and fall out, although they offer greater water-protection as long as they stay in place. Ergonomic ear plugs are the most popular type. This type of ear plugs fit exactly to the inner ear and lay flat against outer ear. Ergonomic plugs usually come constructed from silicone. They are reusable and washable.
- Material: Ear plugs come constructed from a variety of materials. These include silicone, wax, plastics, latex and more. You may find that some of these materials cause irritation when used over an extended time, such as many hours. This is why it is important to choose a material you are comfortable with. In general, silicone is a good material of choice but not very reusable. If you are a frequent swimmer, go with a material that can be reused many times before requiring replacement.
FAQs
Can you hear with swimming ear plugs in?
Swimming ear plugs come in different shapes, sizes and types. Ear plugs that are more water-proof also prevent noise from reaching your ear.
This means that ear plugs with better sealing capabilities let you hear less when you are wearing the, compared to ear plugs with poorer sealing.
So if you want to prevent water from entering your ear canal while also being able to hear, you will need to find a balance between the two. A number of ear plug models exist that let you hear a good deal of sound while you are wearing them.
If being able to hear when wearing ear plugs is a priority for you, you should go with these models.
How to insert swimming ear plugs correctly?
When you are using swimming ear plugs, it is important to insert them properly. Only by inserting the ear plugs properly are you able to create a seal and prevent water from entering your ear canal.
If you are using moldable ear plugs, you will need to warm them up a little before inserting them.
This can be done by rolling them in your palm for a few minutes. Once the material is warm and soft, create a kind of cone at one side.
Then insert the ear plugs. If they are not a perfect fit, take them out and recreate the cone to be thicker or thinner, depending on your requirements.
Non-moldable ear plugs come with a standard and fixed size. So all you have to do is plug them into your ears. Even so, you should make sure that they are in place and form a seal when you insert them.
If they feel loose or if you can still hear the same amount of noise, you have probably inserted them incorrectly.
Many non-moldable models are made to suit a specific ear, left or right. So make sure you are inserting the right unit in the right ear.
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