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Custom swim ear plugs in Christchurch

Swim plugs do one job: keep water out of the ear canal. Off-the-shelf ones often leak or float away, because they are not shaped like your ear. Custom plugs are moulded from an impression of yours. We make them for adults and for children at our Halswell clinic in Christchurch.

Swim Ear Plugs

Swim plugs moulded to your own ears

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What it is

  • Moulded from an impression of your own ear, so it seals against the canal
  • Made to keep water out of the ear canal while you are in the water
  • Made in bright colours, so a dropped one is easier to find
  • Made for children as well as adults — children's ears grow, so they need remaking as they do
  • Reusable and washable
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Who it is for

  • You swim, surf, dive or paddle regularly
  • Water gets trapped in your ears after swimming and takes a while to clear
  • Your child has grommets and their specialist has advised keeping water out of their ears
  • Off-the-shelf plugs leak, float out, or will not stay in
  • You have been told by a doctor to keep your ears dry

What happens

What happens

Two appointments: one to take the impression, one to collect and fit. The same process for children, and a parent stays in the room throughout.

  1. We check and take impressions

    We look in both ears to check the canals are clear, then take a soft impression of each. Our custom ear plugs page describes what that feels like step by step.

  2. The lab makes them

    Moulded to your ears in the colour you choose.

  3. You collect and we fit

    We check the seal, show you how to get them in and out, and how to rinse and dry them after swimming.

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Common questions about swim ear plugs

Do swim plugs keep all the water out?

They are made to seal the canal, and being moulded to your ear is what lets them do that. We would not promise you a perfect seal in every condition — diving deep, rough water and a plug that has been stretched out of shape all make a difference. If yours start letting water in, bring them back and we will look at the fit.

Yes, and a lot of our swim plugs are made for children. The impression process is the same and a parent stays in the room the whole time. The one thing to know is that children's ears keep growing, so plugs need remaking periodically.

That is a question for whoever put the grommets in, because advice differs between specialists and between children. If they have told you to keep your child's ears dry, custom plugs are a practical way of doing it, and we are happy to make them. Bring any instructions you have been given.

Less than without them — they are sealing your ear canal, so some sound is blocked. Most people can still hear someone speaking to them at the poolside. It is worth knowing this if your child needs to hear a coach or an instructor in the water.

Rinse them in fresh water after swimming, especially after the sea or a chlorinated pool, and let them dry before putting them away. Check them now and then for splits or a change of shape, and bring them in if the fit has changed.

Ready when you are

Book an appointment

Pick a time that suits you. If you are not sure which service you need, book anyway and we will work it out together.

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Related services: how custom ear plugs are made, ear wax removal, and all our services.