General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swimming and ear plugs Rss Feed  
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2009-04-17 7:44 AM

Member
47
25
Lancaster,Pa / Onancock,Va
Subject: Swimming and ear plugs
A newbie who has started my swimming routine and woner how many were ear plugs

I seem to remember something about both balance as well as ear infection protection also any thoughts on preventive ear drops or solutions 


2009-04-17 9:23 AM
in reply to: #2090868

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Master
1517
1000500
Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I wear them, much happier
2009-04-17 9:30 AM
in reply to: #2090868

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Pro
4174
200020001002525
Keller, Texas
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs

Will not get in the water without them.  I weat the Macks Aquablocks.  They are cheap, can get them at Walmart and help so much with motion sickness issues.

2009-04-17 10:46 AM
in reply to: #2090868

Member
47
25
Lancaster,Pa / Onancock,Va
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
Thanks, sorry about the spelling in my post !!!!

Anything as far as preventive drops on a routine basis 
2009-04-17 11:02 AM
in reply to: #2090868

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Master
1517
1000500
Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
Drops never worked for me. I actually felt like it made the situation worse at times.  Earplugs work all the time w/o fail.  I also try and limit the number of chemicals I put in my body (chlorine is bad enough) so I dont want to constantly put drops in my ear so that makes earplugs a more 'natural' solution to do in my mind.  Helps to keep the chlorine out too.
2009-04-17 11:14 AM
in reply to: #2090868

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Expert
724
500100100
Simi Valley
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I am another advocate for earplugs.  I had balance issues coming out of open water and they completely went away after using earplugs.  I find it also helps me in cold open water to not feel quite as chilly.

Welcome to BT!


2009-04-17 12:05 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Expert
1040
100025
SF Bay Area
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I don't use them in the pool but every ow swim, I always have them in. I use Mack's.
2009-04-17 1:50 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Master
1993
1000500100100100100252525
Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I use them, religously....in both the pool and ows. I was having major balance and dizziness issues along with incessant shaking/shivering after finishing my training swims in the pool. I could hardly walk a straight line to the lockeroom, I would be shaking so badly...you'd have thought I was in rehab...it was embarrassing. A few people here on BT, suggested wearing earplugs and that has helped immensely.

Edited by nscrbug 2009-04-17 1:54 PM
2009-04-17 2:21 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs

I had extensive OW experience and never used them.  Tried them after my IMAZ debacle, not sure now that water in the ears had anything to do with it, but I got a little superstitious abut wearing them in OW.  Not in the pool.

Frankly, even though I don't think I need them, I am going to continue in my OW swims.  I hate that post swim water in the ear feeling, where you can't hear sh*t. 

2009-04-23 6:24 AM
in reply to: #2090868

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs

No earplugs = No swim.

I can't get in the water without them.  Not even for a casual splash around.

At the moment I am using Speedo but before I have always used wax ones that can be moulded to shape any ear.  Both work fine, but the benefit of the Speedo ones is that I can still hear what is going on around me. 

2009-06-11 5:55 PM
in reply to: #2090868

Member
15

Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
Earplugs rule!


2009-06-11 10:02 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Veteran
191
100252525
Minnetonka, MN
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I struggled like others when I didn't have plugs.
My dad works for a hearing aid company and they also make custome plugs where you go in and they fill your ear and make a "mold" of you ear.  The result is an amazing plug that is custom fit to your ear.   Can't believe how much I love using them!
2009-06-12 8:47 AM
in reply to: #2091669

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Master
1696
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Surprise, Arizona
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs

Revbigdog - 2009-04-17 9:14 AM I am another advocate for earplugs.  I had balance issues coming out of open water and they completely went away after using earplugs.  I find it also helps me in cold open water to not feel quite as chilly.

Welcome to BT!

X2 - completely agree.

2009-06-12 11:01 AM
in reply to: #2090868

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Master
1730
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Straight outta Compton
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
Completely agree- plugs are the way to go.  Get the Mack's- they're cheap and effective.  I've swam competitively for 25 years, and as I get older I've become more susceptible to getting swimmers ear.  The sensation is a bit odd at first- you feel a little more isolated, and sounds are kind of odd.  BUT- you'll spend less time recovering from infections and more time training!
2009-07-04 5:32 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Veteran
266
1001002525
Cincinnati
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I can't go in the water without plugs. I can barely take a shower without getting an ear infection. I wear the Speedo silicon putty plugs. I love the way they completely seal my ear canal but I have used Macks too.
2009-07-05 11:20 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Veteran
320
100100100
Edmonton, AB
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
Absolutely love ear plugs!  I had to miss a couple of days of work because I couldn't get some water out and as a result couldn't stand.  I find the silicone ones are by far the best as the seal your entire ear quite well.


2009-07-06 3:25 AM
in reply to: #2090868

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On your right
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
It seems that I'm the exception here.  I've never worn them, and never had any issues.  However, if I did start having balance or infection trouble, I'd start wearing them to see if it helped.
2009-07-06 8:24 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Member
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25
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
My balance goes and I get vertigo if water below about 80 degrees gets in my ears, so ear plugs are a big deal. My two cents. The silicone moldable blobs are never assured to work all the time. I have suffered leaks while testing and have never dared use them to race or open water swim. The long narrow earplugs with the multi-level seals work the best, if you wet them before you put them in. I am using speedo plugs now, but Macks aqua block works just as well.
2009-07-07 3:24 PM
in reply to: #2266080

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Master
1993
1000500100100100100252525
Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
terseman - 2009-07-06 8:24 PM My balance goes and I get vertigo if water below about 80 degrees gets in my ears, so ear plugs are a big deal. My two cents. The silicone moldable blobs are never assured to work all the time. I have suffered leaks while testing and have never dared use them to race or open water swim. The long narrow earplugs with the multi-level seals work the best, if you wet them before you put them in. I am using speedo plugs now, but Macks aqua block works just as well.


Hmm..now I've tried the Mack's Aqua blocks and I could NOT get them to stay in my ears.  Of course, I didn't wet them before putting them in either...so maybe I'll have to try that.  I've been using the silicone putty ones, but lately have been finding that those too, are not sitting securely in my ears anymore.  I'm actually thinking about trying a pair of custom-molded plugs I have that I was using for motorcycle riding, to see if they stay put better than the others that I've tried. 
2009-07-08 8:44 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Master
1915
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Hamilton, Victoria
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I never really had problems with water in my ears as a kid and I spent a lot of time in the water. Recently though I have had a lot of trouble with blocked ears from water and I was using Ear drops (Aqua Ear) for a while. I was concerned about pouring chemicals in my head as well as the cost. I tried a few different ear plugs but never really had any luck, until I got a pair from Pro Bike Kit on-line. They are shaped like a christmas tree and are silicon based. They fit really well and are fantastic at keeping water out. They are easy to get in and out and cost very little. Can't recommend them more highly.

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A1995



Edited by Iron_Gus 2009-07-08 8:47 PM
2009-07-14 7:37 AM
in reply to: #2090868

Member
33
25
Ottawa Ontario Canada
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I don't wear them for pool swims.
But for ows they are a must.
If I race or do free in a lake or river without them about 4 to 5 hours after I will get a runny nose, watery eyes and be majorly conjested for 2 days.
It only happens in the open water not in pools, and has gotten to the point that without ear plugs I can't swim hard.
Funny thing is I can to breast stroke or swim underwater without any problems, just no free. And NO RACING
BTW I use the speedo push in type and they seem to be good.
I could never get the silcone puty type to stay in.


2009-07-20 1:39 PM
in reply to: #2090868

New user
31
25
Urbandale, IA
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I use ear plugs - all the reasons listed.

I also use Aurodry from the pharmacy section - it is drop that helps dry out your ears. In case you don't bring plugs. Helps a ton!
2009-08-11 10:32 AM
in reply to: #2090868

New user
9

Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I never go into the water without them, they are just like using googles for me and i would recommend them for sure
2009-08-29 12:08 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Regular
79
252525
Port St. Lucie
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I have to have ear plugs! Speedo ear plugs work the best. I can swim a lot longer, a lot farther, without getting motion sickness with ear plugs.
2009-08-31 10:44 PM
in reply to: #2090868

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Champion
5376
5000100100100252525
PA
Subject: RE: Swimming and ear plugs
I love my earplugs so much I sometimes wear them to meetings at work so I can imagine management actually coming up with GOOD ideas instead of what they are really saying. 

Seriously though, I definitely wear earplugs.  I had been wearing a nose thing too but it fell off one day and I realized that I breathed better without it.
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