Custom ear Plugs

[mtquinn]

Hi! Has anyone gotten their kids custom ear plugs from an ENT? I am considering them for this summer, but they are $85/ pair!

Do they stay in the ears? If they lose one, does the doctor charge the same for a replacement? Do they work well?

My kids will be swimming a lot in camp thus summer, and i think ear infections are inevitable unless I protect their ears.

Thanks!

 

[FLAngie]

DD7 had a pair made when she was three and had tubes put in. They stay in well and amazingly enough we just 'lost' them a few weeks ago. We couldn't get her to stop wearing them and she has not needed the ear plugs for over a year now. She did become very dependent on them- to the point that she didn't want her ears wet at all unless they were in.

 

[dhardawa]

My daughter had them and they do fit well, but I wouldn't want to be swimming in a lake with them because I think they would fall out. Unless your kids have tubes, swimming in the lake shouldn't be a problem without ear plugs.

 

[bear_mom]

Why do you think ear infections are inevitable just because they will be doing lots of swimming this summer? Swimming doesn't always equal ear infections.

If it is becuase they have tubes, you might want to do some research, when dd had tubes (two different sets) she never had any kind of ear plugs. Her ENT said that current research showed they weren't necessary.

Emily

 

[mtquinn]

Why do you think ear infections are inevitable just because they will be doing lots of swimming this summer? Swimming doesn't always equal ear infections.

If it is becuase they have tubes, you might want to do some research, when dd had tubes (two different sets) she never had any kind of ear plugs. Her ENT said that current research showed they weren't necessary.

Emily[/QUOTE

My DD's were prone to ear infections a lot until about a year ago. I hope that point has passed, but at camp they will be pool-swimming twice a day. It's the perfect scenario for ear infections. They have never had tubes, but my youngest almost had them a few years ago. I just dint want to risk it happening. I only wanted to know if everyone thought it was worth the money, and if they really stayed in well.

 

[Forevryoung]

My DD's were prone to ear infections a lot until about a year ago. I hope that point has passed, but at camp they will be pool-swimming twice a day. It's the perfect scenario for ear infections. They have never had tubes, but my youngest almost had them a few years ago. I just dint want to risk it happening. I only wanted to know if everyone thought it was worth the money, and if they really stayed in well.

I'm NOT an ENT and I don't play one on TV but I have taken classes in audiology. Unless there is a hole in the tympanic membrane, there is no way for fluid to get into the middle ear from outside. The way you get middle ear infections is from fluid not draining down through the eustation tubes. It's basic anatomy.

I would double check with your ENT but I've never heard of swimming being a problem unless the child has tubes in their ears (creating that small hole).

 

[Chee Chick]

We purchased the custom ear plugs from the ENT for DS when he was 2. They fit very well and we never had any issues with them falling out. DS used them every night when he took a bath and anytime he was swimming or doing outside water activities. He eventually outgrew them, but he no longer needed them at that time. I thought it was worth the cost.

 

[bear_mom]

I'm NOT an ENT and I don't play one on TV but I have taken classes in audiology. Unless there is a hole in the tympanic membrane, there is no way for fluid to get into the middle ear from outside. The way you get middle ear infections is from fluid not draining down through the eustation tubes. It's basic anatomy.

I guess this is what I was trying to say - swimming by itself shouldn't cause an inner ear infection. Inner ear infections are caused by the fluid not draining behind the ear drum.

If you feel more comfortable with your dds have ear plugs, then use them. It might be worth the extra peace of mind.

FYI - my dd had chronic ear infections and went through two sets of tubes. The second set were a "permenant" set and stayed in for 3 years. She never wore any kind of ear plugs - on the recommnedation of her ENT. She went swimming frequently during the summer months, both in a pool and in lakes and never had an issue. She seems to have outgrown her ear infections, she hasn't had one since her tubes were taken out 4 years ago.

Emily

 

[TiggerStac]

I guess every ENT is different, but 2 of my sons both had tubes, 2 different ENT's and both recommended ear plugs.

They were done by audiology dept at hospital. Cost $75 (one was back in 2003 other 2009). We had no problem w/them staying in, we used them in pool and bath tub. I did get bright colors, so if they did fall out, they were easy to find. My oldest had buzz green and my middle had bright blue.

 

[elcodfish]

I am 29 and still have to wear ear plugs for swimming and showering since I have holes in my eardrums. When they have them made, ask to put a cord between the ear plugs, I still do this so they are easily found. They literally make a mold of your child's ear so they will fit perfectly and will stop water. They also make hearing difficult, so make sure the counselors are aware they are wearing them.

 

[teacup princess]

My daughter had a pair when she had tubes. They were $120 so yours seem like a good deal. They did say kids have growth spurts sometimes and then need to get another pair, so don't consider them a long term investment in a growing child. You'll probably make it through the summer with them though.