Dr. Greene’s Answer:
The question of earplugs and ear tubes is an interesting one. For years the standard recommendation has been to use earplugs, but there was a fascinating study a few years ago where children with ear tubes were monitored for ear infections with swimming. Some of the kids with tubes wore their earplugs and spent time in the water, some swam and played in the water without wearing their plugs, Some swam with plugs but received an antibiotic ear drop afterwards, and some avoided water to the ears altogether. The surprising result was that the rate of ear infections was the same in all 4 groups. There is an article here on the site called Swimming with Ear Tubes that tells the full story.
On average, wearing the earplugs doesn’t seem to make a difference. I tell parents in my practice not to worry about using the plugs at all, unless their child continues to get ear infections after the tubes, in which case the plugs are worth a try.
Ear tubes last an average of 9 months; some stay in for years. The peak season for ear infections is November through March in the northern hemisphere.
In your situation, there is no reason to feel guilty. First, you didn’t know the tubes were still there. Second, even if you did, many doctors would no longer recommend the plugs. Not wearing them probably had nothing to do with this infection.
Nevertheless, you might want to use earplugs from hereon just in case they might help. You may also want to discuss your child’s case with his otolaryngologist (ear specialist) since he/she may have a strong opinion about the use of earplugs.
Linda Mark
My 8 year old granddaughter has had tubes put in her ears twice. The last time was 3/2014. We went about a month ago over night to a casino where there was a pool so she went in for about 2hrs and since then she has had sinus problems and earaches. My son in-law took her before todays visit to the doctor, but today he said that one of the tubes looked like again. Please give us your opinion. It was shifting.
He was not the doctor who has done the tubes before. It has been the ear, nose and throat doctor in Scranton,Pa. The specialist had told my daughter the first time to use earplugs, but last year while taking out her tonsils he put new ear tubes in and said she didn’t need to use earplugs. Today when my son in-law took her to our family doctor he said she should be wearing earplugs in the shower, pool etc. saying “isn’t it cheaper to use a pair of earplugs than having to go back to the specialist?” Please give us your opinion. Respectfully, Linda Mark.
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