Should I wear swim plugs?

Reviewed by:
James Dawson
Published on:
July 24, 2026

Swim plugs are waterproof earplugs designed to reduce the risk of water getting trapped in your ear canal, which can lead to ear infections (known as “swimmer’s ear”) and other problems of the ear canal or middle ear.

Most people don’t need to wear swim plugs every time they go swimming. In many cases, water entering the ears won’t cause an infection on its own, and many people swim regularly without any problems.

However, swim plugs can be helpful if you have a history of recurring ear infections, ear surgeries, grommets, eardrum perforations, “swimmer’s ear”, you swim or surf competitively, or if you have another ear condition where your audiologist or doctor has recommended that you keep your ears dry.

Swimming earplugs are safe to use, but only if they’re fitted properly. If you swim regularly, investing in custom-made swimming earplugs will ensure they’re comfortable, durable and provide reliable protection even during intense swimming sessions.

If you’re not sure whether swim plugs are right for you, please give us a call or book an appointment at your local Resonate Health studio. Our team will assess your ears, chat about your lifestyle and history, and recommend the most appropriate option based on your individual needs and swimming habits.

Browse our Swimming & Surfing Ear Care articles for more advice on protecting your ears in and around the water.

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Should I wear swim plugs?

Written by:
James Dawson
Reviewed by:
James Dawson
Blog length:
 min read
Published:
November 11, 2022
Updated:
July 24, 2026
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Summary
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James

Hi, I'm James, an audiologist at Resonate Havelock North. I joined audiology because I wanted to work in an industry that was practical, people-focused, and allowed me to make a real difference to Kiwis lives.