How to Use Ear Plugs for Kids with Tubes | Water Safety Basics

Asking how to use ear plugs for kids with tubes usually means one question underneath: does my child actually need them, and if so, how do I do this correctly? The short answer is that most children with tympanostomy tubes can swim and bathe without any ear protection. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) explicitly advises against routine water precautions, but certain situations call for basic protection done the right way.

When Do Kids with Ear Tubes Actually Need Ear Plugs?

Ear plugs matter less than most parents assume. The official AAO-HNS clinical practice guideline states that clinicians “should not encourage routine, prophylactic water precautions” for children with tympanostomy tubes, which includes earplugs and headbands. The same guidance confirms that children with tubes can usually swim and bathe without any precautions at all.

That said, specific situations push most ENTs to recommend protection:

• Non-chlorinated water: lakes, ponds, rivers, and oceans carry more bacteria than treated pools.
• Deep diving: pressure changes underwater can force water past the tube.
• Active ear drainage or otorrhea: if the ear is already leaking or gets infected after water exposure, plugs make sense until it clears.
• Soapy bathwater: soap lowers surface tension, which can let water slip through the tube more easily.

If your child has no drainage, no pain with water, and sticks to chlorinated pools at shallow depths, the evidence suggests skipping plugs entirely.

How to Put Ear Plugs in a Child’s Ears the Right Way

When protection is genuinely needed, soft moldable silicone plugs are the most common choice for kids. They seal over the opening rather than wedging into the canal. Here’s the method that works:

1. Make sure the child’s outer ear and your hands are completely dry—moisture ruins the seal.
2. Roll the silicone plug into a smooth ball, then flatten it slightly so it looks like a small disc.
3. Press it gently over the ear opening, covering it completely. Do not push it into the ear canal itself.
4. Check that the plug covers the opening comfortably without pressure, and that the child can still hear reasonably well—a sign the seal isn’t blocking too much.
5. Replace plugs when they get dirty, lose their stickiness, or show wear.

For kids who won’t keep plugs in, a neoprene headband with attached ear cups can work well for swimming. It keeps the seal in place without requiring the child to tolerate something in the ear.

Common Mistakes Parents Make with Ear Plugs and Tubes

The most frequent error is using ear plugs for every child with tubes despite the guideline position against routine use. The second is inserting plugs into the ear canal instead of sealing over the opening—multiple sources specifically warn against this because it can push wax against the tube or irritate the eardrum.

Three other mistakes worth avoiding:

• Never use Play-Doh or Silly Putty. The AAO-HNS guideline bundle is blunt about this: these materials can get trapped in the ear and require surgical removal.
• Skip adult-sized plugs for young children. They don’t seal properly and create a choking hazard if they shift.
• Treat all water the same. A clean, chlorinated pool is different from a lake, river, or ocean. Match your precautions to the water, not to a blanket rule.

If your child has persistent drainage, ear pain, fever, or hearing concerns, ear plugs aren’t the solution—that’s a conversation for your pediatrician or ENT. For families that do need reliable protection, our tested roundup of ear plugs for kids with tubes covers the options that seal properly and fit small ears.

Does Bathing Require Ear Plugs for Kids with Tubes?

Routine baths don’t usually require ear plugs either. The main exception is soapy water: because soap reduces surface tension, some ENTs suggest plugs for hair washing if your child tends to get water in the ears. If you’re already dealing with active drainage, keeping soapy water out makes sense until the ear clears.

One more note: if the tube has already fallen out and the eardrum has healed, ear plugs become unnecessary—there’s no hole left to protect. And if the tube is blocked, the same logic applies. When in doubt, ask your ENT whether your child’s specific situation calls for water precautions.