Top 7 Best Earplugs for Swimmers 2023

If you are looking for a fantastic way to stay healthy, stay fit, or beat scorching summers, swimming is the way to go! But, unfortunately, whether you are a complete novice with no idea where to look or a professional swimmer, water does not discriminate: it will enter your ear canal no matter what!

This will hinder your progress, but it can also lead to some serious health problems, such as ear infections which can become chronic. And trust me; a chronic ear infection is something you want to avoid.  

To prevent water from entering your ears and to ensure that you have no distractions and a relaxing time swimming in the pool, you absolutely must have a pair of earplugs! Of course, if you are just taking one dip in the ocean, you might not need earplugs.

However, earplugs are not an optional piece of equipment when it comes to regular swimmers. But the market is so saturated, which ones should you buy? Don’t worry; I am here to help you make the best choice. I have curated a list of the X best earplugs for swimming to help you pick the perfect pair that will suit your needs best. 

Benefits of Using Earplugs for Swimming

Let’s go over some of the benefits that a good and high-quality pair of earplugs will bring and how they can improve your time at the pool. 

1. Earplugs protect you from the swimmer’s ear.

Prolonged exposure to water can cause otitis externa in the ears, which is commonly called a swimmer’s ear. Symptoms of swimmer’s ear and ear infections include the feeling of irritation in the ears, itching, secretions, scaling, and pain inside the ear canal. Wearing earplugs will prevent the entry of water into the ear canal, which will reduce the chances of a swimmer’s ear and therefore save you from so many uncomfortable and painful symptoms. 

2. Earplugs prevent water-borne diseases.

There is a very high chance that the water you are swimming in contains bacteria and fungi that can be very harmful and cause different diseases, such as typhoid and cholera. In order to prevent fungi and bacteria from entering your ears, you should always use earplugs to close and protect your ear canal. 

3. Earplugs provide noise cancellation.

Loud background noise can be detrimental to your hearing levels, and some earplugs also help eliminate that background noise. Earplugs can block both low-frequency and high-frequency noises, and they can actually be used in really loud places, such as noisy concerts and very loud work environments.

While protecting your ears might not be on the top of your list of concerns right now, it is good to think about your hearing long-term since prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears), which is not curable. 

Also Read: How Long After a Tattoo Can You Swim?

Different Types of Earplugs 

Like anything else, earplugs come in many forms, shapes, sizes, and materials. Different kinds of earplugs will serve different purposes and suit different needs. Let’s go over some of the most common and most commonly used types of earplugs.  

1. Silicone earplugs 

Silicon earplugs are made using silicone, and they look like a dome or a cone since they have three or four flanges. Silicon earplugs can act as a watertight seal, which makes them perfect for all water sports where there is a lot of movement and a lot of chance of earplugs slipping out (such as swimming, water aerobics, and water polo).

They will help your ears stay intact, and they will stay in place only if you insert them correctly. To do so, lift your ears outwards, insert the earplugs into the ear canal, and then release your ear. 

2. Foam earplugs

Earplugs made of foam are going to suit all of your noise-cancellation needs. They look like a cylinder that can be compressed and then expanded to fit the ear when inserted. Foam earplugs have a noise reduction rating of 33 units, which makes them perfect for canceling both high-frequency and low-frequency noise. This is why they are suitable for concerts or loud work environments. 

3. Custom-made earplugs

For some people with a specific ear canal shape or specific needs, regular earplugs might not be able to cover it. An audiologist will be able to take an impression of your ear and make earplugs that will fit your ears perfectly. You will also be able to choose the material they are made of. 

Top 7 Best Earplugs for Swimmers 2023 

Now that we have covered what earplugs are and why you absolutely need them if you swim more than every once in a while, so let’s go over some of the top picks for earplugs for swimmers 2023.

1. Speedo Ergo Ear Plugs

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

Even if you are entirely new to swimming, you have probably heard of Speedo! Speedo is one of the leading brands for manufacturing swimming gear, and their earplugs are high-quality too. 

Speedo Erg earplugs provide hassle-free usage and watertight comfort; they are effortless to put in and remove. In addition, they are made from high-quality TPR that is PVC-free to prevent leaks into your ears, allowing you to have a good swim without worrying about water entering your ears. They also come in a storage case, which will ensure they are safe in your swimming bag and always easy to access. 

PROS

• Easy to use
• Watertight fitting
• Lightweight design
• Can be used while shampooing

CONS

• No instructions are included in the package 
• Might be uncomfortable for some people, as they might be slightly too big for smaller ear canals (most likely children) 

2. WaterDam Swimming Earplugs

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars  

Earplugs are manufactured mainly by sticking to a standard size, which sometimes means they cannot fit everyone, especially for smaller ear canals. But WaterDam earplugs are different – they have been customized for different age groups, from toddlers to adults, which means they come in different sizes, and there is a size for everyone.

WaterDam earplugs also offer a unique matte design, a compact seal, and a stem that looks like a bullet, which makes them fit perfectly into any ear canal. Earbuds that fit perfectly into your ear canal are going to reduce the chances of apex-angle pain or distending. In addition, they are available in four different sizes with a size guide available so that you can pick your perfect match.  

PROS

• Anti-slide design
• Size guide available
• Easy to clean with alcohol or soap

CONS

• They might be tedious to pull out of the ear canal for some users
• Some users might not find them comfortable

3. Anbow Silicone Ear Plugs

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars 

Anbow silicone earplugs are made of high-quality silicone, reusable, eco-friendly, and FDA-approved. They are ergonomically designed to fit into your ears comfortably, ensuring you have a worry-free and hassle-free swim.

Anbow silicone earplugs come with a waterproof travel pouch, which is perfect for your swim bag. Also, this particular set of earplugs comes with not one, not two, but three pairs. To use them, spin and insert them into your ears, they will slightly expand to fit comfortably, and there you go! 

PROS

• Noise reduction rating of 32dB
• BPA-free 
• Easily washable and reusable 
• Hypoallergenic and eco-friendly 

CONS

• Might be a bit uncomfortable for those with small ears
• The design may not be sleep-friendly 

4. Oken Swimming Earplugs

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Not every swimmer wants to stop hearing external sounds while wearing earplugs. While noise-cancellation is useful for some, hearing your environment in the pool can also be very useful to some swimmers, depending on personal preference. To address this part of the market, Oken has designed a pair of earplugs that allow sound to enter while keeping the water out of your ear canal.  

Oken Swimming Earplugs are made using high-quality silicone that fits like a glove; they come in three different sizes (small, medium, and large), in 15 pieces per set, with a 12-month warranty and a storage case. 

PROS

• Easy to use and easy to fit under your cap 
• Available in three different sizes
• Designed not to hurt the ear canal when inserted 
• Stay in place for long periods of time, even during rigorous exercise 

CONS

• They might seem flimsy to some swimmers 

5. Hearprotek Custom-Fit Swimmer Earplugs

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars 

Another amazing option for the swimmers who want to hear their environment while swimming is Hearprotek custom-fit swimmer earplugs, which use (very stylish) wings to create a custom fit to the ear area, as well as keep the earplugs in place. 

The waterproof mesh allows the sound to get in while keeping the water away, and very effectively so. This versatile pair of earplugs is the perfect match for swimming and other fast-paced sports such as kayaking or water aerobics. They are available in four pieces per set, and they come in storage cases and three colors: blue, green, and orange.  

PROS

• They come in bright colors, which makes them easy to spot if they are lost in the water or on land 
• Stay in place even though most rigorous exercise 
• Easy to insert into the ear canal and remove
• Comfortable while offering a secure fit 

CONS

• They might not fit small children
• They might not be watertight enough for some swimmers 

6. Softvox Adult Swimming Earplugs

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars 

One of the most comfortable earplugs on the market, the Softvox adult swimming earplug set includes eleven extremely soft silicone earplugs. In addition, these earplugs come with a waterproof mesh, which is used to prevent water from entering the ear canal. This 11-piece set also comes with a durable case that features a carabiner, which will keep your earplugs safe and clean. 

PROS

• Comes in three wing sizes for a custom fit
• Durable but still soft on the ears 
• Easily noticeable if lost in the water

CONS

• Some swimmers may not find them easy to insert into the ear
• They might be too big for small children and smaller ear canals in general 
• Do not offer noise-canceling properties 

7. AiBast Swimming Earplugs

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The AiBast swimming earplugs come with a waterproof mesh, preventing water from entering your ears while enabling hearing. In addition, they lay flat on the outer ear when inserted, which makes them more comfortable. The AiBast swimming earplugs are packaged in transparent carry boxes, and they come in four pairs.  

PROS

• Lightweight
• Assortment suitable for families
• Easily washable and reusable 
• Ergonomic design 

CONS

• Some may not find them secure enough
• No size options

FAQ SECTION 

Q: Can I use swimmer’s earplugs for other activities?

Of course, you can use swimmer’s earplugs for other activities! For example, earplugs can be used in outdoor watersports, sleeping on an airplane, and tuning out your nosy neighbors. 

Q: How do I use earplugs while swimming?

In order to get the best out of your swimming earplugs, make sure to wash your hands before inserting earplugs, use a cap to help them keep them in place, and let them dry after using them before storing them properly in their storage box. 

Q: Where is the best place to buy earplugs for swimming?

I always recommend Amazon! It’s convenient and budget-friendly, and you can look at other users’ reviews to determine if the product has been proven useful. If Amazon is unavailable to you for any reason, most pharmacies will carry the most generic kind of earplugs that you can use for swimming practices. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Earplugs are a fantastic way to keep water out of your ear canal, protect your ears from infection and diseases, and reduce noise in and out of the pool. In reality, earplugs can be a swimming accessory that makes the difference between a good, productive swimming workout and leaving the pool early in anger and defeat.

Materials and fit are some things you should consider when choosing your perfect earplugs. If I have to recommend one product from all the recommendations above, I recommend starting with Hearprotek Custom-Fit Swimmer Earplugs. Please note that finding the perfect fit might take trial and error, but you are bound to find the pair you like.