It is a clear winter’s day, and the water is the perfect temperature for cold water swimming.

You have packed everything on your list; the swimsuits, goggles, swimming gloves and socks, and swimming caps, but what about earplugs?

These little swimming accessories could make all the difference between a successful endurance session of cold water swimming and a less productive session, maybe in pain, because of ice-cold water in your ears.

Before the next time you head to the pool, there are a few things you need to understand about the best swimming earplugs.

What You Should Know About Using Earplugs for Swimming

Some people go swimming in the winter and don’t think they need ear protection while swimming. Maybe cold water in their ears doesn’t bother them.

However, because dunking your head is a crucial step when acclimatizing to the cold water, ear plugs make the transition from warmer outside to cold water a lot easier.

You’re already dealing with the temperature change everywhere else, so keeping water out of your ears is an easy acclimatization step.

Using earplugs for swimming is an inexpensive method to keep cold water out of your ears and lessen the chance for surfer’s ear, a bony growth that occurs inside the ear canal caused by repeated exposure to cold water. It doesn’t always cause pain but can make you more prone to ear otitis (ear infections).

If you use swimming earplugs for cold water swimming, you may be less mindful or aware of others around you, which could cause mishaps. Outdoors this is even more important to remember where there are more dangers to be mindful of.

Earplug Tips and Tricks

Wearing and using swimming earplugs is very straightforward, just place the earplugs in your ears and dive in for a swim.

But there are a few tips and tricks to make wearing earplugs a much more comfortable and beneficial experience.

Try Out Different Kinds of Earplugs

Even after reading this list, you may not find the perfect earplugs on the first try, which is okay.

Try out different earplugs in cold water and see which protects your ears the best. Warm ears can be a significant benefit when swimming in winter; no cold water in the ear is one less thing to distract you.

Keep Your Earplugs Clean

Besides keeping your ears dry, earplugs’ other primary job is to prevent the ear canals from becoming an excellent place for bacteria to grow.

This does not work if the earplugs are already a breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent this, clean your earplugs with warm, soapy water every time you use them, and let them thoroughly air dry before storing them.

Buy Earplugs That Are Brightly Colored

Earplugs are tiny little things and can easily get lost. Swimming earplugs can even sometimes fall out of your ears when you start to get used to wearing them.

Choosing earplugs that are brightly colored can help make them easier to spot at the bottom of your swim bag or the pool.

What Are the Best Earplugs for Swimming?

There are two major categories of earplugs for swimming, custom earplugs, and over-the-counter earplugs. You can also choose between silicone earplugs and wax earplugs for swimming.

If your ears persistently trouble you with swimmer or surfer’s ear, you might want to consider visiting an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist to get a custom fit of swimming earplugs.

But if you are not to that level of discomfort and since those earplugs can be extremely costly, you can try one of these six best swimming earplugs for adults.

Mack’s AquaBlock Swimming Earplugs

Mack’s waterproof earplugs are fantastic for the avid swimmer. Mack’s waterproof earplugs are ideal, made from super soft, incredibly flexible silicone that provides unbelievable comfort.

They are also easy to grip, making them easy to insert and remove from your ear canal. Mack’s AquaBlock Swimming Earplugs are also doctor-recommended to help prevent surfer’s ear infections.

Included with the earplugs is a durable carrying case to keep your earplugs clean and protect them from bacteria and general wear and tear.

Speedo Unisex-Adult Swim Training Ergo Ear Plugs

Few other brands are associated with a brand, as much as swimming is with the Speedo brand. That is the case with these earplugs too.

These earplugs are as near a custom fit as possible without visiting an otolaryngologist. Speedo ergonomically designs to offer the most secure and snug fit possible.

The Speedo Ergo Ear Plugs are super comfortable and easy to place in or out of your ear. They are reusable and come with a handy carrying case that keeps them germ-free and ready for your next dip in the pool.

WaterDam Swimming Ear Plugs

One of the best things about the WaterDam Swimming Ear Plugs is that they are customized to fit the ear canals for different age groups, ranging from toddlers to adults.

Since most other earplugs are fabricated to a specific one-size-fits-all style, being able to pick the best size for you is amazing.

WaterDam Swimming Ear Plugs feature a unique design that is tight and compact to prevent surfer’s ear. They almost resemble a bullet in shape to fit flawlessly in your ear canal.

The unusual shape also helps the earplugs not fall out as easily as other earplugs and lowers the chances of apex-angle pain in the ear.

ASLhomepatty Swimming Earplugs

The ASLhomepatty Swimming Earplugs are made from silicone, which is of excellent quality, extremely durable, incredibly soft, and unbelievably comfortable.

The ASLhomepatty Swimming Earplugs have a superior waterproof rating and are effortless to put in and take out of your ear.

You do not press these earplugs into your ear canal; instead, you rotate them to make the process less painful.

Each pair of earbuds comes with an extremely sturdy carrying case that is easy to hold, keeps your earbuds clean, and stops everyday damage.

Hearprotek Swim Ear Plugs

Available in three sizes of clamping outer ear wings for a custom fit that keeps these ear plugs in comfortably in place, the Hearprotek Swim Ear Plugs are perfect for the swimmer.

These earplugs feature something other earplugs do not offer; they contain a waterproof mesh layer in the core of each ear plug.

This mesh layer in the Hearprotek Swim Ear Plugs keeps your ears safer from water; sound can enter, but water cannot. They also have an ergonomic design of double flanges that keeps even more water out of the inner ear canal.

Plus, the contoured design of the Hearprotek Swim Ear Plugs offers a more locked-in fit to ensure that they don’t fall out of your ear canal when you change strokes or go in and out of the water.

Menge Swimming Ear Plugs

The MengK Swimming Ear Plugs’ unique design matches the human cochlea’s structure.

When inserted, they are placed close to the ear’s inner side and lie flat on the outer ear to make it more comfortable.

The MengK Swimming Ear Plugs are available in various colors and include a reusable plastic storage box, keeping your earplugs clean.

Final Words

Finding the perfect swimming earplug can be an overwhelming experience, but the benefits when you do, and you can swim without cold ears, can outweigh all the time-consuming processes.

No matter your reasons for wanting a pair of earplugs, this list of the six best swimming earplugs should help you find the pair that is right for you and your next trip to the pool.