Swimmer’s ear affects roughly 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives, and during the UK’s open-water and pool season it is one of the most common reasons people visit their GP. The condition is painful, persistent, and entirely preventable. This guide covers how to prevent swimmer’s ear using the methods that actually work, including when to use earplugs, which type performs best, and what else you can do to protect your ears through the summer.This guide was produced by the team at UK Consumer Review, based on published NHS and CDC guidance, independent earplug certification data, and first-hand testing across pool and open-water swimming environments.

1. Understand What Causes Swimmer’s Ear (So You Know What You’re Preventing)

Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal. It is not caused by swimming itself. It is caused by water sitting trapped in the ear canal long enough for bacteria or fungi to multiply in the warm, damp environment.Any source of water can trigger it: pool, lake, sea, or even the shower. Children are particularly susceptible because their ear canals are narrower, which makes drainage slower. People who swim regularly, use in-ear headphones, or have previously had ear infections face a higher risk.The good news for prevention is that the mechanism is simple. Remove the water, or keep the water out in the first place, and the infection cannot take hold. Everything in this guide works on one of those two principles.

2. Use Silicone Earplugs Designed for Swimming (Not Foam)

Foam earplugs are made for noise reduction in dry environments. They absorb water rather than repelling it, which means they can actually hold moisture against the ear canal and increase infection risk if worn while swimming. They also degrade quickly when wet and rarely create a reliable seal during dynamic movement.Silicone earplugs designed specifically for swimming work differently. A well-fitted pair creates a physical barrier that keeps water out entirely, with no absorption. The BOLLSEN Watersafe+ uses a dual-lamella (two-layer) silicone flange that conforms to the ear canal and maintains its seal whether you are pushing off a wall, jumping from a pontoon, or rolling over in open water.The certification matters here. Many swimming earplugs on the market carry no independent testing. The Watersafe+ is certified by PZT GmbH, a NANDO-listed notified body (No. 1974), to 24 dB noise reduction — the same certification standard applied to professional hearing protection. It is also rated waterproof to 3 metres, which covers recreational diving as well as surface swimming.

3. Get the Fit Right Before You Get in the Water

An earplug that does not fit correctly will not prevent swimmer’s ear. A partial seal allows water to enter, and a loose plug may come out entirely during movement — which is worse than not wearing one, because it can push water further into the canal on exit.Try your earplugs in the shower or a shallow basin before your first swim. Press them gently into the ear canal without forcing them. You should feel a distinct change in ambient sound as the seal engages. If you can hear water easily, the fit is incomplete.Ear canal shape varies considerably between people, which is why many swimmers try multiple products before finding one that works. BOLLSEN offers AR KI TECH, an AI-based ear measurement service where you upload two photos of your ears and receive a recommendation for the correct earplug size. The service reduces return rates to around 3%, which reflects how much fit accuracy matters.

4. Dry Your Ears Properly After Every Swim

Even with well-fitted earplugs, some moisture can find its way in. A consistent post-swim drying routine removes that residual water before it becomes a problem.Tilt your head to each side and gently pull the outer ear upward and back to straighten the canal. Let gravity drain any pooled water. Pat the outer ear dry with a clean towel. Do not insert cotton buds (cotton-tipped swabs) into the ear canal. They push debris deeper and can damage the delicate skin lining, which increases infection risk rather than reducing it.If water remains after tilting, a hair dryer on the lowest heat setting, held at arm’s length from the ear, can help evaporate residual moisture. Keep it moving and never hold it close. Alternatively, pharmacists stock over-the-counter ear drying drops that accelerate evaporation safely.

5. Avoid Habits That Damage the Ear Canal’s Natural Defences

The ear canal is self-cleaning and has a natural acidic pH that inhibits bacterial growth. Several common habits disrupt this without people realising.Cotton buds are the most common culprit. They remove protective earwax, scratch the canal lining, and impair the ear’s natural ability to expel water and debris. NHS guidance is clear: nothing smaller than an elbow belongs in your ear.Avoid wearing in-ear earphones for extended periods immediately before or after swimming. The friction from earphone tips can irritate the canal skin and create microscopic entry points for bacteria. If you swim regularly and use earphones daily, give your ears time to recover between sessions.Also worth considering: pool water chemistry. Heavily chlorinated water is harsh on canal skin over time, and natural open water carries bacteria at much higher concentrations than a managed pool. Neither means you should stop swimming, but both are reasons to be consistent with your earplug use.

6. Take Extra Care With Children

Children develop swimmer’s ear more frequently than adults and tend to find the pain more distressing because they are less able to articulate what is wrong. Early in an infection, the primary symptom is an itching sensation inside the ear. Pain on moving the outer ear outward is the classic sign that infection is established.For children in regular swimming lessons, fitting-tested silicone earplugs are worth prioritising over foam alternatives. The BOLLSEN Kidz+ is sized for children aged 3 to 12 and uses the same medical-grade silicone as the adult Watersafe+. It is safe for pool use and gentle enough for sensitive ears.If your child reports ear pain after swimming, have them seen by a GP or pharmacist promptly. Swimmer’s ear responds well to antibiotic ear drops if caught early, but the condition worsens quickly without treatment and can spread to surrounding tissue if ignored.

7. Know When to See a Doctor

Prevention eliminates most episodes of swimmer’s ear. When it does occur despite your precautions, act quickly.See a GP or pharmacist if you notice: pain when touching or moving the outer ear, discharge from the ear canal, reduced hearing, or significant itching that persists for more than a day or two. Do not swim with an active ear infection. The water itself will prolong the infection and can push bacteria deeper into the canal.NHS guidance recommends against attempting home treatment with olive oil, hydrogen peroxide, or homemade solutions. These can alter the pH of the canal in ways that favour fungal infection over bacterial, complicating treatment. Prescription or over-the-counter antibiotic drops, used as directed, are the correct intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is swimmer’s ear and what causes it?

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the outer ear canal, not the middle ear. It is caused by bacteria or fungi multiplying in water that becomes trapped in the ear canal. The warm, moist environment after swimming creates ideal conditions for infection. It can occur in anyone who swims regularly, or even through regular showering if the ear canal retains moisture.

Do earplugs prevent swimmer’s ear?

Silicone earplugs designed for swimming do prevent swimmer’s ear by keeping water out of the ear canal entirely. Foam earplugs are not effective for this purpose as they absorb water rather than repel it. The earplug must fit correctly to form a complete seal. A partial seal allows water to enter and may not prevent infection.

What type of earplugs are best for preventing swimmer’s ear?

Medical-grade silicone earplugs with a flanged design (two or more layers) are the most effective. They create a physical seal, resist water absorption, and maintain their fit during movement. Look for products with independent waterproofing certification. Foam, wax, or cotton-based earplugs are not suitable for swimming and should be avoided.

Can children get swimmer’s ear?

Yes, and children are more susceptible than adults. Their narrower ear canals drain more slowly, which means water sits in the canal for longer after swimming. Children in regular swimming lessons benefit most from consistent earplug use. Any ear pain in a child after swimming should be assessed by a GP or pharmacist.

How long does swimmer’s ear last?

Without treatment, swimmer’s ear can last one to two weeks and often worsens over time. With appropriate antibiotic ear drops, most cases resolve within 7 to 10 days. You should not swim during treatment. Return to swimming only when pain has fully resolved and you have been cleared by your GP or pharmacist.

Should you swim with swimmer’s ear?

No. Swimming with an active ear infection prolongs it and can spread bacteria further into the canal. Wait until the infection has fully cleared before returning to the water. NHS guidance recommends staying out of the pool for at least 7 days after symptoms resolve, or until a healthcare professional has confirmed recovery.

Are foam earplugs OK for swimming?

No. Foam earplugs are designed for dry environments. They absorb water rather than creating a waterproof barrier, which means they can hold moisture against the ear canal and potentially worsen the conditions that lead to swimmer’s ear. Only silicone earplugs designed and tested specifically for swimming should be used for water-based activity.

How do you get water out of your ear after swimming?

Tilt your head to the side with the affected ear facing down and gently pull the outer ear upward and back. This straightens the ear canal and allows water to drain by gravity. Pat the outer ear dry. Do not insert cotton buds. If water persists, a hair dryer on low heat at arm’s length can help, or over-the-counter ear drying drops from a pharmacist.