Swimming with Tubes in the Ears, and Other Ear-Related Swimming Questions

All children should learn how to swim for safety reasons as well as for physical, cognitive, and social development. However, if your child has tubes in their ears, you may be wondering if swimming is possible.

Swimming with tubes in ears and other swim-related ear concerns are among the top questions we get from parents. At Ocaquatics Swim School, we have the expertise to teach swimming classes and techniques for children with tubes in their ears. Read on to learn more about the common questions that come up for swimming with ear tubes as well as other ear-related swimming concerns.

Can Children Go Swimming with Ear Tubes?

Swimming with tubes in ears is completely safe. These cylindrical tubes assist children who have issues with fluid buildup behind their eardrums. The tubes help equalize the pressure to stop this from occurring. 

Years ago, it was thought that the holes created to insert the tube would permit water to get into the ear, leading to ear infections. Often, this led to children being told to stay out of the water rather than swimming or to use earplugs. 

Fortunately, this old way of thinking is gone now that it has been shown that swimming with tubes in your ears does not increase ear infections, even if a child is not wearing earplugs. If your child has these tubes, they can safely go swimming. 

As for wearing earplugs, it is not required, though you may want to speak with your child’s pediatrician before making a decision either way. 

Addressing Other Ear-Related Swimming Concerns

Even for children who do not have ear tubes, there may be other concerns on your mind. Here are other questions that parents often ask regarding ear-related swimming concerns.

Can You Swim with an Ear Infection?

If your child gets an ear infection, you may wonder if they can still show up for swimming lessons or if you’ll need to reschedule. The answer will depend on what kind of ear infection they have. 

When kids have a middle ear infection, they can still swim. If it’s an outer ear infection, commonly called swimmer’s ear, it’s best to keep them out of the water. Middle ear infections are quite common and are not contagious, though the colds that cause these infections can spread. Generally, they will experience a cold or infection first and then develop a middle ear infection. If your child has overcome the symptoms of their cold, they can still swim without infecting their swimming peers. If not, it’s best to keep them home. 

How Is Swimmer’s Ear Different from Other Ear Infections?

If your child has been swimming recently and you know they have an ear infection, you may wonder how you can tell the difference between a middle ear infection and swimmer’s ear.

When it’s a middle ear infection, the space behind the eardrum is infected. Your child will usually be sick before developing this with noticeable cold or sinus infection symptoms. 

On the other hand, swimmer’s ear infects the outer ear canal, which is the area that runs from the eardrum to the ear’s opening. Water can get trapped in this space, creating an environment that allows bacteria to thrive. The key to figuring this out is where your child is experiencing the pain.

Swimmer’s ear will cause pain near the opening of the ear while middle ear infections are painful closer to the eardrum. When your child is lying down, they will feel more pain if it is a middle ear infection. With swimmer’s ear, they will feel the pain if they tug on their earlobes. 

Can You Prevent Swimmer’s Ear?

The best way to prevent swimmer’s ear is to keep ears dry. You can have your child wear earplugs as a precautionary measure. This keeps water out of the ears and may be a great solution whether your child has ear tubes or not. 

Ear infections are more likely to occur in water with high levels of bacteria. Even in clean water, ear infections may arise, which makes draining your child’s ears a necessary step. Have them tilt their head side to side as they gently tug their ear lobes. This allows any trapped water to seep out. A towel or a quick blow dry with a hairdryer can help get rid of lingering moisture.

If that doesn’t work, have them initiate a wide yawn or give them gum to chew, then try tilting the head and pulling the ear lobe again. Your child may prefer to lay on their side with a towel under their ear to simply let gravity do all the work. Ear drops may be another simple solution, though it may be hard to get your child to sit still for them.

How Ocaquatics Swim School Supports Children with Ear Tubes

Whether your child will be swimming with tubes in their ears or not, Ocaquatics Swim School provides expert swim instruction for every child. We know your ear-related swimming concerns may give you a reason to worry, though our certified instructors teach proper methods for swimmers of all ages. 

In our indoor pools, we keep the environment clean for everyone. Your child will be less likely to develop any issues with their ears here. If you do take them for a swim in a lake or the ocean, you must be more cautious about their ears.

With the tips discussed above, you should be able to prevent ear infections and other issues for children swimming with ear tubes as well as those without them. While you can come to us with your concerns,and we will work with you to ensure the best experience for your child when they are learning to swim, we always recommend speaking with your pediatrician about any concerns you have.