caruso
Banned
I started using Docs Pro Plugs a few years back because I hated the itchy squishy feeling I got from water in the ears, which persisted for an entire dive vacation and for some time thereafter. Although the problem can be addressed with various ear drop remedies, it's still a hassle to use them, they don't always work that well, and why not prevent the problem rather than deal with it after the fact?
The Docs Pro Plugs are vented, and they have a tiny hole to equalize pressure on both sides of the plug which is necessary to avoid a squeeze in the outer ear, and they work as advertised. My ears are almost always pretty dry even after several repetitive dive days. Keeping water out of the ears also avoids infections and may help with equalizing..
The problem I had with the Docs Pro Plugs is they can make the inside of my ear a bit sore- after several days of 5 days per day on a liveaboard last year my ears were getting sore to the point of having small abrasions. They also have a tendency to fall out even if inserted properly; I've lost 3 of them in the past year, over the course of about 100 dives. They have an optional "leash" which means if one falls out you probably won't lose it since it's attached to the other one which is hopefully still in your other ear. The leash can be an issue, it can hang up on tank valves or can get caught up on a hood when it's removed, yanking the plugs out.
On this trip to Little Cayman (2 days in), my ears were again sore, so I decided to try a spare set of ear plugs I got for my girlfriend. They're called JBL Hydro Seal plugs, and she's been using them after she lost her Docs Pro Plugs and Divers Direct had only this brand. These plugs are softer and considerably more comfortable. They're a more complex design, and they stay in the ear much more securely. The plug that goes inside your ear is a mini tube as compared to the Docs plugs which is simply a hole in the clamshell shaped plug, and it's probably for this reason that I got no water in my ears at all today when using them for the first time.
The Hydro Seal plugs don't come with a leash and they don't need it because they won't come out until you remove them.
Hydro Seal Aqua Ear Plugs
The Docs Pro Plugs are vented, and they have a tiny hole to equalize pressure on both sides of the plug which is necessary to avoid a squeeze in the outer ear, and they work as advertised. My ears are almost always pretty dry even after several repetitive dive days. Keeping water out of the ears also avoids infections and may help with equalizing..
The problem I had with the Docs Pro Plugs is they can make the inside of my ear a bit sore- after several days of 5 days per day on a liveaboard last year my ears were getting sore to the point of having small abrasions. They also have a tendency to fall out even if inserted properly; I've lost 3 of them in the past year, over the course of about 100 dives. They have an optional "leash" which means if one falls out you probably won't lose it since it's attached to the other one which is hopefully still in your other ear. The leash can be an issue, it can hang up on tank valves or can get caught up on a hood when it's removed, yanking the plugs out.
On this trip to Little Cayman (2 days in), my ears were again sore, so I decided to try a spare set of ear plugs I got for my girlfriend. They're called JBL Hydro Seal plugs, and she's been using them after she lost her Docs Pro Plugs and Divers Direct had only this brand. These plugs are softer and considerably more comfortable. They're a more complex design, and they stay in the ear much more securely. The plug that goes inside your ear is a mini tube as compared to the Docs plugs which is simply a hole in the clamshell shaped plug, and it's probably for this reason that I got no water in my ears at all today when using them for the first time.
The Hydro Seal plugs don't come with a leash and they don't need it because they won't come out until you remove them.
Hydro Seal Aqua Ear Plugs
