What About Using Ear Plugs? 

Can I or should I use ear plugs? 

The short answer: Maybe. 

If you are vulnerable to getting ear infections from water stuck in your inner ears, or if cool water causes pain or headaches, or if water in the ears interferes with your balance, then wearing ear plugs can help. 

If you find water temporarily plugging the ears (and making everything sound strange!) merely annoying, then we recommend that you get more acquainted with this normal sensation. Water filling the main ear is what is happening to all swimmers and they learn to tolerate it. The more you experience this the more your brain will normalize it and after a while you won’t notice it any more. 

You can always bring your ear plugs to the pool and try using them and not using them for part of the time. You may gradually wean yourself off of needing them.