OT - Ear protection for swimming

[MickeyMom2Boys]

My DS2 has had a lot of ear problems. At 11 months he had tubes put in. A year later (Jan 09) they had lifted out of the ear drum. This month he had croup, which went into an ear infection in both ears and his right ear drum busted. He now wants to put his head under the water in the bath tub and we're going to Disney in May and will be spending a lot of time in the pools/waterparks. The wax type of ear plugs just fall out. Can anyone suggest any good ear protection for a 2 year old??

TIA!

 

[NotUrsula]

Talk to his ped ENT about it. They can usually make custom earplugs for people who need specialty protection.

I have frequent ear problems myself, but earplugs always make me terribly uncomfortable. What I do instead is put Rx medicated cortisone solution drops in my ears before and after I get into the water. That forms a kind of fluid barrier between my eardrum and any pool water I get in to, and it usually prevents me from developing swimmer's ear.

 

[jennifer293]

My daughter had custom ear plugs from her ENT that she was fitted for and she also had a headband type thing that covered her ears that was made of neoprene and it kept the earplugs in and water out.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

I've seen the headband-type thing. That would probably help to keep the wax in. My son had 13 ear infections before his doctor inserted tubes. You're right about the wax. On its own, it's a joke. Good luck!

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

My DS had tubes put it before he was 2 and then again about 8 months later because they fell out and he started getting infections again. After the second time though they worked like a charm. We got those bright orange ear wax thingies to put in his ears to keep the water out and it was fine. We used them when he had his bath, and I think we ended up going on a beach vacation and we used the wax then. Knock on wood, but this was about 5 years ago and he hasn't had an infection since!

 

[tiggerx3]

My DS had tubes put it before he was 2 and then again about 8 months later because they fell out and he started getting infections again. After the second time though they worked like a charm. We got those bright orange ear wax thingies to put in his ears to keep the water out and it was fine. We used them when he had his bath, and I think we ended up going on a beach vacation and we used the wax then. Knock on wood, but this was about 5 years ago and he hasn't had an infection since!

We got them for our 4DD too and they have worked great for us in the tub and pool.

 

[hockeymom3]

My daughter is on her 2nd set of tubes - they are a lifesaver!!! Her ENT doc recommended the headband. I bought it at Walmart - it seems to work great for her!!

 

[Fabinva]

I've use the bright orange wax earplugs for my son for the pool and worked well.

 

[jlstwinmommy]

I agree with checking with your ENT. My younger DS (5) has had ear tubes since he was 2.5 years old. We tried every over the counter ear device that was approved for use with ear tubes (some of them are not) with no success. I asked the ENT and he gave us ear plugs specifically for kids with tubes that come in different sizes and fit the ear perfectly. He actually gave us 2 pairs (in case we lost one). We have not had any problems with those earplugs at all and we got to the water park once a week all summer long.

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

Thanks for all the tips. I think I am going to get one of the ear bands. I'm also going to check with the ENT Dr about which plugs they recommend or how quickly we can have him fitted for plugs.

Any airplane advice?? With all these ear problems, will he be uncomfortable flying?

Your tips are very much appreciated!

 

[Chelley00]

We bought these from One Step Ahead for our son at the advice of a friend and we LOVE them. The plugs are more putty than wax, so they fit in the ear better, and the headband keeps my son from playing with them or taking them out.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5780&cmSource=Search

They also offer Ear Planes for flying. We don't fly,but I've heard great things about Ear Planes

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=14762&cmSource=Search

 

[smurfie]

DS uses the Ear Band-it with the wax like ear plugs. He doesn't go underwater though.

We got ours at the ENT's office.

 

[GrumpyGoofy]

My DS3 has also used the ear Band-It. He has had 3 sets of tubes already. He won't get into the pool with out having them on. Until recently he did not like getting water anywhere near his ear and the Band-it's worked great.