Can Your Child Swim with Ear Tubes?

Children are at a higher risk for earaches and ear infections, which are caused by a viral infection. If a child is suffering from frequent ear infections, ear tubes may be required to be placed into their eardrums. These tubes can assist in lessening these ear infections, and work by allowing normal pressure behind the eardrum, as well as allowing drainage from the middle ear. However, they are often difficult to maintain due to the requirement that children must avoid getting water in their ears.

What Are Ear Tubes?

Ear tubes, also known as tympanostomy tubes, are tiny cylinders made of plastic or metal that are surgically inserted into the eardrum. These tubes serve several important purposes:

• They allow air to circulate in the middle ear and fluid to drain, reducing the number of ear infections.
• They help correct balance issues by stabilizing pressure in the ear.
• They can restore hearing by preventing fluid buildup.
• They may improve speech problems and alleviate behavior and sleep issues caused by chronic ear infections.

Swimming with Ear Tubes: Is It Safe?

It is often recommended that children wear earplugs when swimming to reduce the amount of water entering the ear, which many kids are opposed to. However, there is good news. A recent study stated that swimming in chlorinated water, which is clean, without ear plugs is safe for children with ear tubes. However, it is still important to wear earplugs when swimming in lakes, rivers, ponds, or oceans due to exposure to bacteria which can result in infections.

So, what if you do need to use earplugs? What are your options? Ear plugs can be made of many things, including part of a cotton ball dipped in Vaseline, over-the-counter plugs, or custom earplugs made specifically for the child’s ear. For extra protection, swim caps or swim headbands can be worn to reduce the chance of excess water entering the ear.

When to Avoid Swimming

There are some situations where it’s best to avoid swimming:

• If your child has recently had ear surgery.
• If your child has a perforated eardrum.
• If your child experiences discomfort or pain while swimming.

Ear Tubes for Children in Tuscaloosa, AL

If your child is experiencing frequent or severe ear infections, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Our specialists will create a plan to correct this issue to increase the quality of your child’s life.