Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) are tiny hollow cylinders surgically placed into the eardrum. Their primary purpose is to ventilate the middle ear and allow fluid drainage, preventing recurrent ear infections and restoring hearing impaired by chronic fluid buildup. The small opening in the eardrum raises concerns about water exposure, especially swimming, after the procedure. Understanding the timeline and necessary precautions ensures a safe return to normal water activities.
Immediate Post-Surgery Restrictions
The period immediately following ear tube placement requires careful attention to keep the ear canal dry and allow the surgical site to begin healing. Although the procedure is minimally invasive, the first 24 to 48 hours focus on recovering from anesthesia and minor surgical trauma. During this time, a small amount of blood-tinged or clear drainage from the ear is common and normal.
Surgeons typically recommend avoiding water in the ear canal completely for the first one to two weeks after the operation. This restriction allows the tissue around the tube insertion site to stabilize and reduces the risk of immediate post-operative infection. Physicians often prescribe antibiotic ear drops for use during this initial recovery phase. The first post-operative check-up, usually scheduled around two weeks after surgery, confirms initial healing before water restrictions are eased.
General Timeline for Water Activities
The return to swimming is determined after the initial post-operative healing phase is successfully completed. Many children are cleared for water exposure, including surface swimming, as soon as one to two weeks after surgery or immediately following the first follow-up appointment. This rapid timeline is possible because the small tube opening generally prevents water from passing through unless under significant pressure.
While surface swimming in pools is often permitted quickly, activities involving high water pressure or prolonged submersion require specific precautions or a longer waiting period. Diving, swimming deeper than six feet, or forceful water entry should be restricted for a longer duration. The clearance for full water activities must come from the surgeon, who confirms the tube is properly in place and there are no signs of inflammation or drainage.
Essential Precautions for Swimming
Once a child is cleared for swimming, the need for protective gear depends on the type of water and the activity level. Routine precautions, such as using earplugs for all surface swimming, are increasingly considered unnecessary for most children with tubes. Clean, chlorinated pool water presents the lowest risk of infection because the chlorine acts as a disinfectant.
A higher level of precaution is recommended when swimming in natural bodies of water (lakes, rivers, or oceans) due to the increased presence of bacteria and microorganisms. Ear protection is also advised for activities involving head submersion or swimming in bath or soapy water. Soapy water has a lower surface tension than plain water, making it more likely to pass through the tube into the middle ear space.
If ear protection is necessary, options include soft, putty-like silicone earplugs or custom-fitted ear molds, which provide the most secure seal. A neoprene headband worn over the ears can provide an extra layer of security by keeping the earplugs firmly in place. If water enters the ear and results in drainage, this discharge is often a sign of infection requiring treatment with prescribed antibiotic ear drops.